Anglers fail to block poultry farm expansion in Wye catchment

An angling group seeking to block the expansion of a poultry unit in the River Wye catchment has failed in its legal challenge in the High Court.

Fish Legal, which represents anglers on environmental issues, challenged Powys County Council’s planning decision to allow the poultry farm near Builth Wells, Powys, to expand from 90,000 birds to 180,000.

The group claimed that the council had failed to consider the impact on the local environment of additional poultry manure being spread as digestate.

See also: Poultry producer pledges to help clean up River Wye

But the High Court in Cardiff refused permission for Fish Legal to proceed with its challenge, in a hearing on Monday 22 August.

Justin Neal, solicitor for Fish Legal, said the group was considering an appeal.

“We maintain that Powys County Council has a duty to assess the direct and indirect effects of these intensive units, which would include the impact of spreading of the digestate generated from poultry manure from the site, which can be washed into the river.

“None of this was taken into consideration,” Mr Neal insisted.

But a spokesperson for Powys County Council said: “The council is aware of the High Court decision to refuse the application for a judicial review into this planning decision.

“The planning application was processed and approved correctly and in line with the council’s planning policies.

“We will now be seeking to recover the costs and expenses ordered by the court to be paid to the council.”

Last year, farmers in Herefordshire set out a plan to reduce phosphate levels in the River Wye and bring the catchment back into balance.