Plans for a 16,000 chicken farm in Llanwnog, near Caersws, have been approved as councillors could not find reasons to go against officers’ recommendations.
Villagers have been against the proposals to build an egg production unit at Parc yr Esgob.
At the Powys County Council planning committee meeting, Philip Wells and David Evans from Llanwnog spoke against the application.
Mr Wells pointed out that there were three other poultry farms within two km of the village with another two planned with a total chicken count of more than 144,000.
Mr Wells said that villagers were “dismayed” that this proposal is close to the village with the “nearest homes less than 150 metres away”.
Mr Evans told the committee that reports saying the chicken farm would have “little impact” on health was “unacceptable” and he expects that the proposal would have “no” impact on health.
Mr Evans said: “No analysis on the cumulative effect of clusters of farms has been carried out.”
“The dangers and nuisances of additional transport on narrow country lanes has been understated. This is too close to homes too close to the village.
“It is an intensive industry and should be sited further away, there is a right place for these applications but not here.”
Applicant and third generation farmer John Wainwright told the committee that his family needed to diversify to survive.
Mr Wainwright said: “The uncertain nature of both beef and sheep markets combined with the near abolishment of agricultural subsidy has left us no choice but to seek diversification to allow our family business to continue.
“This egg facility is modest in size and we believe it will complement the current farming system in place at Parc yr Esgob.
Mr Wainwright said that they had listened to the community and would move the unit further away from the village.
Also fields next to the village would not receive manure and buffer zones have been put in place next to neighbouring properties.
“It is clear that there’s no long term future for our family business in its current position and action must be taken immediately to sustain a living for ourselves and generations to come.”
Cllr David Selby said: “Two aspects concern me. Firstly is the cumulative effect, I recognise we have had advice from NRW (Natural Resources Wales) that says there is no concern, I just wonder at what point we will find that we have concerns.
“At each meeting we are passing another of these units. Over time we may come to regret the building of so many in such a short space. This is very very close to the village.”
“It’s close to people’s homes and they will suffer in some way because of this and I have great sympathy.
“I’m concerned but would struggle to find a valid reason not to accept this."
The application was passed by 10 votes to one against and one abstention.
By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporter
