P-06-1232 Stop the proliferation of intensive poultry units (IPUs) - Petitioner to Committee, 19 February 2026

Good morning

Thank you for the opportunity to respond. 

The questions raised in December 2022 have not yet been answered by PCC and have been attached.

Questions raised in response to the letter from Julie James (2 June 2023) have not been responded to; attached to this email.

In response to County Councillor Berriman's statement I would also like to raise the following:

The Leader’s statement focuses on providing "clarity" for applicants and mitigating "financial implications" for farm diversification. However, this perspective overlooks the core purpose of my petition and the concerns of its 5,920 signatories. I request the Committee considers the following points:

• Reactive vs. Proactive Regulation: The "call-in" of these 11 applications is a reactive, case-by-case measure that does not address the systemic failure of current planning policy. My petition specifically calls for a legislative moratorium to halt all new IPU developments across Wales until a specific Technical Advice Note (TAN) for intensive agriculture is implemented.
• The "Uncertainty" Argument: The Council Leader laments the "uncertainty" faced by applicants. I would argue that this uncertainty is a direct result of the Welsh Government’s failure to deliver the dedicated TAN promised since 2019. A moratorium would provide the ultimate clarity by pausing development while a robust, science-led policy framework is established to protect our environment.
• Failure of Local Oversight: The fact that the Welsh Government has stepped in to determine these cases—some of which have been delayed since May 2023—proves that the current local planning process is unable to adequately assess the cumulative environmental impacts of IPUs.
• Ecological Crisis: While the Council emphasises the need for farm diversification, this must not come at the cost of our rivers. The River Wye and other catchments are facing ecological collapse due to phosphate and ammonia levels largely attributed to the proliferation of over 150 IPUs in Powys.

I urge the Committee to maintain pressure on the Welsh Government to move beyond individual "call-ins" and instead enact the requested moratorium. Only a national legislative pause can ensure that Welsh agriculture develops in harmony with our environmental obligations under the Environment (Wales) Act and the Well-being of Future Generations Act.

The primary issue for smaller units (under 40,000 birds) remains the "regulatory gap." Because they do not require an Environmental Permit from Natural Resources Wales (NRW), they are solely dependent on the planning system, which currently lacks specific, up-to-date national technical guidance.

Please note; at present the total number of poultry in approved sheds in Powys, assuming the numbers in the planning applications are respected, is 9.9 million and would be 10.8 million if the outstanding applications are approved. These numbers are based on the history of planning applications.

I would also like to bring to the Committee's attention the rules and guidance included in the Powys Local Development Plan where many of the identified elements and criteria are breached by these applications, to the detriment of local people.

I look forward to the hearing.

Regards

Gill Marshall