The Welsh Government has stepped in to consider 12 poultry planning applications in Powys, ending months of uncertainty for farmers and landowners.

The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans MS, confirmed that the applications, which have been held under Welsh Government directives since March 2023, will now be “called in” for determination by Ministers. The move means Powys County Council will no longer make the final decisions on these proposals.

Powys County Council Leader, Jake Berriman said he welcomed the decision as it “finally brings to an end the uncertainty faced by applicants in simply not knowing how their applications would be treated.”

He said: "I recently wrote to the Cabinet Secretary expressing concerns that applications submitted in good faith had been subject to holding directives since March of 2023. Some of the applicants who I have spoken to will undoubtedly be disappointed not to have had more positive news, especially as the ongoing planning process will have financial implications for them, but it at least brings a little more clarity.

"I hope the call in signals the end of the very lengthy delays experienced by the applicants, who are no further forward today in diversifying their farm activities, necessary to secure the future of their family farms, than they were two years ago."

The 12 applications include plans for free-range egg units, poultry rearing buildings, and associated infrastructure at sites across the county. According to the Welsh Government’s letter to Powys County Council, the call-in was prompted by concerns over potential environmental impacts, particularly the disposal of poultry manure and anaerobic digestate, and the cumulative effect of intensive poultry units on the environment.

James Evans, MS for Brecon and Radnorshire, also commented on the announcement, welcoming the end of the limbo but expressing frustration at what he described as a lack of understanding from Cardiff-based Ministers about farming in Powys.

“There have been great strides made to improve poultry units and in the disposal of their waste,” he said.

“The technological advances to dry out the manure and process on-farm are improving rapidly and this innovation should be supported by Welsh Government.”

Mr Evans highlighted the balance between environmental concerns and food security, noting that demand for locally produced chicken and eggs continues to rise.

“Environmentalists may call for these units to be banned, but with the UK customers demand for chicken and eggs increasing, if not reared in Wales, then where? We already see imported chicken on supermarket shelves, with around 20 per cent coming from countries like Thailand and Brazil, where environmental damage is huge, and welfare and hygiene standards remain far lower than that of the UK,” he said.

“I hope that Welsh Labour Government will recognise the improvements being made in the poultry sector in Powys and give the go-ahead to these planning applications.”

Powys County Council will now forward all relevant documentation to the Planning and Environment Decisions Wales office in Cardiff, which will manage the formal call-in process.