Expert Report Finds Fatal Flaws in Environmental Assessment for Mid-Wales Chicken Farm Expansion
27 April 2026
An independent review has found fundamental flaws in the environmental assessments submitted for a planning application to expand a major broiler expansion at Neuadd Isaf Farm, near Penybont, Llandrindod Wells.
The plans would see an expansion of two new sheds and an additional 70,500 broiler chickens. [1] That would mean an extra 528,750 chickens every year.
The proposed expansion lies within the catchment of the River Wye, which is already suffering from severe nutrient pollution and is classified as being in unfavourable condition. Multiple conservation groups assert the River Wye has been taken to the brink of ecological collapse by the abundance of chicken manure running off from local poultry units. [2]
Additionally, several ammonia-sensitive Ancient Woodland sites lie in proximity to the development. The cumulative impact of this expansion alongside other nearby intensive farms has not been assessed, an omission that has also caused campaigners concern. The independent air quality assessment concludes that the assessments “do not provide a reliable basis for decision-making” and should not be accepted by Powys County Council [3].
Maya Pardo, Campaign Lead for Communities Against Factory Farming (CAFF), said:
“Approving yet more intensive poultry units within the catchment of the River Wye risks exacerbating an already critical environmental issue. Excessive nutrients cause algal blooms that strip oxygen from the water, suffocating fish like Atlantic salmon and damaging the river’s fragile ecosystem.
“This expansion would mean around another half a million chicks being reared on the site every year, raising serious welfare concerns. Most residents don’t want to see this level of industrial farming on their doorstep, especially when it threatens the health of the River Wye and local wildlife.”
Some 60-70% of the phosphates in the river can be attributed to agriculture, especially livestock manure. The majority of excess phosphorus in the River Wye catchment originates from livestock manure, particularly from poultry operations. [4]
MPs are investigating ammonia emissions from agriculture as part of the Environment Audit Select Committee’s inquiry into air pollution, in recognition of the impacts on health and nature of air pollution from agriculture. [5] A report released by the Royal College of Physicians last year highlighted that agriculture is falling behind on emissions reductions of air pollution, warning that particulate matter (PM2.5) (of which ammonia is a contributor) is linked to cardiovascular disease, asthma, and reduced life expectancy. [6] [7]
Welfare concerns
The proposed stocking density detailed in the planning application remains almost three times higher than the 11 kg/m² urgently recommended by the European Food Safety Authority in a 2023 scientific opinion, which concluded that only this level gives broiler chickens sufficient space to express natural behaviours and support their health [8].
Fast-growing broiler breeds, standard in intensive units,are associated with high rates of lameness and higher mortality rates than slow-growing breeds. Many birds struggle to support their own body weight and some do not survive the five to six weeks to slaughter. [9].
Communities Against Factory Farming (CAFF) is supporting residents to oppose the application.
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Notes to Editor
[1] Planning Application: https://info.southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=T9U76UOQFNZ00
[3] Air quality report https://static1.squarespace.com/static/682cad4152f5f9059c0c2728/t/69df67c7e3b5e819c70d86ff/1776248775189/Review+of+Air+Quality+and+Odour+Issues_Neuadd+Isaf_final.pdf
[4] https://www.soilassociation.org/media/27139/stop-killing-our-rivers.pdf
[5] ‘MPs pledge to investigate toxic gas from animal farming: Government inquiry into air pollution will zero in on ammonia after we revealed a surge in levels around chicken farms’ https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2026-02-17/mps-pledge-to-investigate-toxic-gas-from-animal-farming
[6] The Royal College of Physicians, ‘A Breath of Fresh Air’ https://www.rcp.ac.uk/media/hvbeolvx/21072025-update-rcp-full-report-a-breath-of-fresh-air.pdf
[7] The Environmental Audit Committee investigation into ammonia pollution https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2026-02-17/mps-pledge-to-investigate-toxic-gas-from-animal-farming
[8] Recommended stock density by EFSA https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/j.efsa.2010.1666
[9] The Life of a Broiler Chicken by Compassion in World Farming https://www.ciwf.org.uk/media/5235306/the-life-of-broiler-chickens.pdf