The Welsh government has ‘called in’ plans for a mega-dairy near Welshpool, Powys. The decision over whether plans for the highly controversial dairy will go ahead will now be taken by the government.

Environment and Sustainable Development Minister John Griffiths launched a review of the application, over issues including risk of pollution from the site and the units’ impact on the environment. Although the environment Agency initially raised concerns over risks to groundwater, Fraser Jones, the farmer behind the plans, said these had been cleared up.

Powys council planners had said they were “minded to approve” the application for a 1,000 cow dairy, subject to some outstanding issues, following a narrow vote in November. However, local interest groups, including animal welfare and farming groups, have objected to the plans, with Compassion in World Farming condemning them as a “factory farm.”

Mr Jones denied the accusations and said cows at the dairy would enjoy improved milking conditions. Animals in the unit would spend 250 days a year indoors.

The local council had advised planners to reject the application in November. The proposed site is located next to a primary school and near Powys Castle. The Castle trust objected to the plans on the grounds that a dairy would impact on the view from the castle.