Powys councillors have rejected plans for a controversial super-dairy on the outskirts of Welshpool. The vote came following changes in Powys, which saw changes to the council’s make-up. Councillors had previously given the project their blessing, but it was called in for the final decision to be cast by the Welsh Government earlier this year.  

The 1,000 cow super-dairy at Leighton has been the subject of fierce local opposition. Local opponents, many of whom staged a protest in Welshpool on Tuesday (23 October), claim the proposed unit would lead to welfare, pollution and disease concerns, and would put strain the community’s infrastructure.  

Fraser Jones, the farmer behind the plans, has said animal welfare would be a top priority at the state of the art facility, but local campaigners have said cows at the super-dairy would spend 250 days a year indoors.  

Following changes to Powys council's constitution and committee membership, councillors reviewed their previous decision, given this time last year. Concerns about pollution from the site, the impact on the view from nearby Powys Castle and the proposed unit’s proximity to a primary school all led to Welsh Environment Minister John Griffiths calling in the plans in January.

Animal Welfare groups have said the proposal amounts to factor farming, a claim which Fraser Jones denies. Nevertheless, planning officers have consistently recommended the council oppose the project, as the development clashes with Powys council’s policies.

The decision will go to inform the Welsh Assembly when they decide the fate of the application in March 2013.

In their report, released on Tuesday, Powys Councillors said, “Given the scale and location of development and the assessment of its impact which is indicated, it is concluded that the development fundamentally conflicts with the provisions of the development plan.”

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