First Minister Mark Drakeford has defended the Welsh Government’s decision to spend £4.25m on a piece of Mid Wales land for the Green Man festival.

It came to light last week that the Welsh Government has bought Gilestone Farm at Talybont-on-Usk for the festival, since admitting that no business plan had been received from the intended tenants. Economy Minister Vaughan Gething had said the purchase was to secure a permanent home for the Green Man festival, however organisers have been clear that they have no plans to move from their current Glanusk site.

During First Minister’s Questions yesterday (May 24) Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies asked: “The economy Minister said that the Welsh Government had spent £4.25 million purchasing a farm in mid Wales, in his words, to secure a permanent home in Wales for the Green Man Festival.

“The next day, the festival said that there are no plans to move the Green Man Festival from the Glanusk estate to Gilestone Farm. These two statements are polar opposite. Which is correct, First Minister?”

The First Minister said that both statements were correct because they were “not polar opposites”.

Mr Drakeford said there were no plans to move the festival itself from its current site but “there is more that those who are responsible for the festival believe that they can do to contribute to the economy of that part of Wales, building on the success of their business.

“To do that they need more space in which to be able to develop those further possibilities. That’s what lies behind the arrangements.”

Commenting afterwards, Mr Davies said: “I am staggered that Labour Ministers have decided to spend millions of taxpayer cash on buying this farm without even securing agreement from the festival organisers. In fact, Green Man have been clear there are no plans to move from their Glanusk site.

“There wasn’t a business plan in place before the money was released, so I have serious questions about how this purchase decision came about, especially when other businesses have to provide thorough paperwork when they seek financial support from the Welsh Government.

“Add into the mix concerns about young and new farmers being unable to purchase farmland, and it’s clear the whole thing needs a proper explanation.”