6,000-bird poultry unit planned near Newtown
A 6,000 bird poultry unit could be built near Newtown, under plans to supply a major supermarket.
Farmer Andrew Owen wants to build the unit at Middle Garth Farm, Bettws Cedewain, to supply free range eggs to Waitrose.
Mr Owen, who runs the farm in partnership with his parents David and Sandra Owen, said he will scale down the sheep side of the business to increase the egg production.
In the application to Powys County Council, Mr Owen said: "The farm extends to 250 acres and is fully organic, supporting a suckler herd of 45 cows and their progeny and a beef rearing and finishing system averaging a further 71 head of cattle.
"A flock of breeding ewes is being scaled down due to the decrease in the price of lamb sales and contract work is also being cut back due to a reduction in farm subsidies.
"A restructuring of the farm business is under way, taking into account the reduced number of sheep and proposals to invest in a free range poultry unit.
"The farm has been offered a contract with Stonegate Eggs to supply free range eggs to Waitrose."
Powys County Council's planning committee will make a decision on the plans in the coming weeks.
