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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Powys 'mega dairy' plan gets go-ahead after public inquiry | Powys 'mega dairy' plan gets go-ahead after public inquiry |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A farmer's plan to build a 1,000-cow dairy next to a school has been given the go-ahead despite the public inquiry inspector saying it should be refused. | A farmer's plan to build a 1,000-cow dairy next to a school has been given the go-ahead despite the public inquiry inspector saying it should be refused. |
| Planning Minister Carl Sargeant said the economic benefits outweighed other considerations. | |
| A public inquiry was held about the plans for the dairy in March. | |
| The farmer behind the scheme at Lower Leighton Farm said he was delighted, but animal campaigners called it a black day for Wales. | |
| In a letter detailing his decision to grant planning permission to farmer Fraser Jones, Mr Sargeant said the proposed development had social and environmental implications but that these were outweighed by economic benefits. | In a letter detailing his decision to grant planning permission to farmer Fraser Jones, Mr Sargeant said the proposed development had social and environmental implications but that these were outweighed by economic benefits. |
| Mr Sargeant said that although the planning inspector had recommended refusing the plan, he did not accept the recommendation. | Mr Sargeant said that although the planning inspector had recommended refusing the plan, he did not accept the recommendation. |
| In his letter, he stated that the planning inspector had recommended refusal of the application over the main issues: | In his letter, he stated that the planning inspector had recommended refusal of the application over the main issues: |
| But Mr Sargeant wrote: "I agree with the inspector that these are relevant issues, but I also consider that the economic aspects of the proposed development are a main consideration in the determination of this application". | But Mr Sargeant wrote: "I agree with the inspector that these are relevant issues, but I also consider that the economic aspects of the proposed development are a main consideration in the determination of this application". |
| 'Incredulous' | |
| The dairy plans includes three large buildings, a fodder storage unit, two slurry stores and a water storage tower. | The dairy plans includes three large buildings, a fodder storage unit, two slurry stores and a water storage tower. |
| People opposed to the scheme had said the dairy would be too close to their homes and the school, and objections had been raised about noise, the smell, flies, pollution, increased traffic, the size of the development and its visual impact. | People opposed to the scheme had said the dairy would be too close to their homes and the school, and objections had been raised about noise, the smell, flies, pollution, increased traffic, the size of the development and its visual impact. |
| A local action group had been formed to oppose the development. | A local action group had been formed to oppose the development. |
| Simon Pope, from the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA UK) said: "WSPA is incredulous that expert planning advice has now been twice ignored, both at county and national level. | |
| "This is a dark day for Wales and for Welsh dairy farmers, who have protected this beautiful landscape for generations. | |
| "The inspector felt on balance that this application was contrary to the Welsh Assembly's own policies on development. | |
| "Having taken part in the inquiry alongside concerned residents, we worry about the message this sends: if you can provide a handful of jobs, then it seems environmental, animal welfare and economic common sense can be ignored." | |
| Mr Jones's dairy proposal also attracted criticism from the National Trust which was concerned about the visual impact on nearby Powis Castle, while Compassion in World Farming had claimed Mr Jones's plans were factory farming. | Mr Jones's dairy proposal also attracted criticism from the National Trust which was concerned about the visual impact on nearby Powis Castle, while Compassion in World Farming had claimed Mr Jones's plans were factory farming. |
| The farmer, who currently milks 300 cows, has said he had gone to great lengths to address concerns and has included measures to monitor flies, the smell and animal welfare in his proposals. | The farmer, who currently milks 300 cows, has said he had gone to great lengths to address concerns and has included measures to monitor flies, the smell and animal welfare in his proposals. |
| Planning process | Planning process |
| The government inspector visited the planned dairy site in Leighton last March during the eight-day public inquiry. | The government inspector visited the planned dairy site in Leighton last March during the eight-day public inquiry. |
| A target date of 24 July 2013 had been set for a decision about the application but it was not made until 30 October. | A target date of 24 July 2013 had been set for a decision about the application but it was not made until 30 October. |
| In November 2011, despite the dairy being recommended for refusal, Powys council's planning committee said it was minded to approve the dairy subject to a report about "outstanding issues". | In November 2011, despite the dairy being recommended for refusal, Powys council's planning committee said it was minded to approve the dairy subject to a report about "outstanding issues". |
| But the matter was discussed again in October 2012 after changes in the council's constitution and committee membership and the dairy application was rejected. | But the matter was discussed again in October 2012 after changes in the council's constitution and committee membership and the dairy application was rejected. |
| The Welsh government called in the application in January 2012 prompting the public inquiry hearing. | The Welsh government called in the application in January 2012 prompting the public inquiry hearing. |
| In response to his application being granted, farmer Mr Jones said he had always felt he had a good case and that he had put a strong proposal forward. | In response to his application being granted, farmer Mr Jones said he had always felt he had a good case and that he had put a strong proposal forward. |