By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporter
Plans have been submitted to build a 16,000 bird poultry unit at Llanwnog near Caersws.
The application comes as a local charity has raised concerns over the number of poultry units being built in the area.
The application at Parc yr Esgob Farm at Llanwnog has been submitted despite opposition from villagers who believe that there are too many of this type of development nearby.
A pre-application consultation was held for 28 days during April and May.
Comments submitted pointed out that there were several other similar developments close by and this is one too many.
David Evans said: “My opinion is that no more farms should be given planning permission in this area until the effect of the two large farms at Henblas and Pertherin are properly monitored and assessed over at least a year when the appropriate action can be taken.
Sandra Horner also objected: “My property will be within 200 metres of this development – the noise, the pollution including the possibility of rat infestation and the increased traffic on the lane bordering my back garden will be more than a hundredfold.
“Domestic pets will also be at risk from the traffic.
Colin Jones, added: “We currently have three Poultry Units within a square mile with planning for a rearing shed and now pre-planning for a fifth unit
“Parc yr Esgob will actually be felt by the village as the farm is situated within the village.
“As a village we have quietly allowed the erection of these units, however this latest one at Parc yr Esgob will be too much for this small area."
A Design and Access statement by agents Roger Parry and Partners, on behalf of farmers R and S Wainwright, said: “The farm business is currently a beef and sheep farm set just North of the village of Llanwnog.
“The farm business is now proposing to diversify into free range poultry with 16,000 layers proposed for the new shed.
“This diversification scheme will assist the farm business economically, in bringing in a new stream of income to counter the loss they have had since the phased reform of the single farm payment scheme.
“It will also give an opportunity to expand the farm’s income and introduce one of the sons into the business.
“The existing farm is located virtually within the village of Llanwnog, with it being seen as part of the built development.
“The poultry unit has therefore been proposed slightly away from the farmstead to ensure that no amenity will be impacted upon due to this development.
“The birds are brought in and remain in the egg production unit for some 13 months.
“After this time the flock is removed and the whole building fully cleaned down internally and a new flock introduced to restart the egg production cycle.”
The building will be 80metres long and 20metres wide, with the roof ridge height of 5.4metres covering a floor area of 1,600 square metres.
The egg production unit will require bulk food delivered to the farm by HGVs.
The feed will be delivered twice a month and stored in the hoppers on site, eggs will be delivered around every three days and vehicles delivering new birds will arrive once every 13 months,
The main labour force to be used with the proposal will be the Wainwright family so there will be no extra vehicles using the farm junction in relation to labour.
Meanwhile, Montgomeryshire Campaign for for the Protection of Rural (CPRW) believes that the number of units in Powys has grown almost six times in the last 10 years with Powys home to an estimated seven million chickens.
On Thursday, two more planning applications for units at Llanwyddelan, near New Mills and Meifod will be discussed by the Powys County Council Planning Committee with officers recommending approval.
Powys County Council has said that from April 1, 2016 to June 30, 2018, there had been 108 of this type of planning application.
105 had been passed and three refused.
CPRW Montgomeryshire is now urging planners to look very closely at environmental impact when reviewing these plans rather than being swayed by short-term gains.
The charity also believes that the greater availability of cheaper eggs and chicken meat could crash, leaving farmers who do diversify in a precarious financial position.
They also believe that there are unwanted products created by these units.
Brian Drew, of Montgomeryshire CPRW, said: “Chickens produce a lot of manure which is spread on farmland.
“This creates airborne ammonia and extra nitrogen in our soils, vegetation and water.
“Residents near these developments are constantly complaining about bad smells, vermin, polluted rivers and the industrialisation of precious landscapes.
“But despite all these complaints and disadvantages more chicken sheds are being approved and most polluted areas are unprotected.”
These concerns include the amount of water being drawn by the units as well the water being polluted and rural roads being used by more Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs).
Mr Drew added: “Action is needed to protect people and wildlife from ammonia.
“It is the only polluting gas that is on the increase and excess ammonia can turn lichens, an indicator of clean air, into sickly algal slime – not a happy prospect.
“Powys is praised for its spectacular scenery peace and quiet beloved by both residents and tourists, and wonderful clean air.
