Local residents have expressed concern over a proposed intensive poultry farming unit in Talybont, which they believe can “only bring problems and no benefits to the local community”.

A planning application has been proposed for an additional poultry unit at Ty Nant Farm, near to Talybont. The proposal is to erect two poultry buildings to the west of Ty Nant.

Mr Evans, owner of E Evans & Co, has submitted the proposal through the agent Roger Parry & Partners. The proposal is currently being considered by statutory consultees Natural Resources Wales (NRW), Dwr Cymru, and Highways.

In an environmental statement, produced for the proposal, the owners of Ty Nant commented on the proposed development’s capacity to help meet the “rising demand for poultry meat in the UK and becoming self-sufficient in poultry meat”, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions by not having to import the meat.

But some Talybont residents are contesting the new proposed poultry farm.

Barry Wise highlighted that residents would be exposed to “increased traffic on minor roads and lanes, noise, acrid smells and pollution”.

Mr Wise commented: “As local people we support our farmers, understand the pressure on them to diversify and welcome more sustainable alternatives.

“However, an intensive poultry unit, especially on the scale proposed, goes directly against all the goals we should now be aiming at to protect the future of our communities and our landscape.”

Four residents of Talybont, including Barry, wrote to the Cambrian News highlighting four major concerns regarding the proposal.

Firstly, they highlighted the link between intensive keeping of poultry and viral epidemic.

Barry said: “Particularly in this pandemic we should be aware that Intensive Poultry Units present one of the main risks for development of new and dangerous viruses and their transmission to humans.”

“They have also been shown to have serious health implications for local residents from ammonia and nitrate contamination of air and water supplies.

“The village is only two miles from the proposed development. This is in addition to the environmental and biodiversity impacts in a particularly beautiful and unspoilt part of Ceredigion.

“Apart from the ancient woodlands in the immediate vicinity the proposed development is within 5km of 11 SSSIs [Site of Special Scientific Interest] as well as Cors Fochno - a Ramsar site and Special Area of Conservation and of international importance.”

Roger Parry & Partners and Ceredigion County Council have been contacted for a comment.

E Evans & Co, owners of Ty Nant Farm, have also been contacted for a comment.

Residents opposing the application have set up an online petition and submissions to Ceredigion County Council must be made before Wednesday, 3 June.