Councillors who last year expressed their support for plans to build a ‘mega-dairy’ in Mid-Wales may reconsider as time runs short on the plans. Following changes at Powys Council, the future of plans for a 1,000 cow dairy unit near Welshpool look less certain.

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Due to changes to the number and make-up of the council’s committees, officials may reverse their initial decision to support the dairy plans, which flew in the face of planning officers’ recommendations. In November 2011, the council said it would support the proposal subject to the resolution of some outstanding issues, however, it is understood that the decision will be revisited at a meeting on Tuesday (23rd October).

Opponents of the plans have said issues with waste, access, drainage and the potential impact on Powys Castle, which overlooks the site, and a nearby primary school are all grounds for the council to reconsider its initial support. Locals have also said the development is unsustainable and will have health, welfare and environmental implications.

Local campaigners are expected to demonstrate against the plans in Welshpool on Tuesday. Animal welfare and rights campaigners are set to meet in the town at midday. The scheme has attracted hundreds of objections since last year.

However, the Welsh government will have the final say on the controversial plans, which have divided the rural community of Leighton, after they were called in earlier this year.

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