James Evans has expressed disappointment after key players in the Gilestone Farm negotiations didn't turn up to his public meeting, despite Welsh Government previously stating they would not attend.
More than 150 residents from Talybont-on-Usk and surrounding villages met Mr Evans, MS for Brecon and Radnorshire, at a community meeting in the village on June 8, to express their concerns about the Gilestone Farm Project. Worries that were raised included the impact proposals would have on local wildlife and an increase in traffic, which would put at risk a Special Area of Conservation.
The Welsh Government purchased Gilestone Farm, in Talybont-On-Usk, for £4.25 million in March 2022, and is in negotiations to lease the grounds to organisers of the Green Man Festival. Green Man Festival intends to use the farm to host smaller gatherings, food businesses and weddings, which has attracted criticism from opponents after the acquisition last year was made without a comprehensive business plan in place.
The Welsh Government agreed in May this year that the process can move forward to its next stage and have approved access, by licence, for Green Man representatives to undertake environmental and other surveys, and that formal commercial lease negotiations with Green Man will commence. Since its purchase, the Welsh Government has repeatedly said they will consult with the community before any decision is made.
Last month, First Minister Mark Drakeford responded to James Evans, who invited him to the talk on June 8. Mr Evans asked Mr Drakeford during a Senedd session to ensure that someone from the Government will attend the meeting so that local people get accurate information.
Mr Drakeford said the Government will work with the community council, Powys County Council and the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority to promote “constructive community consultation” on the future use of Gilestone Farm.
He said he agreed about the importance of accurate information being provided.
But he didn’t believe a public meeting, not guaranteed to provide “more light than heat”, was the best way to achieve that.
Mr Drakeford said: “I want to do it in a way that allows some of the heat that has been seen to be toned down and a greater emphasis on proper information sharing and reasoned debate.
“I'm not convinced, I'm afraid, that a public meeting of the sort that the Member has described is the best way, at this point, to bring that about.”
James Evans MS said: “I convened this public meeting as I get repeatedly asked ‘What is happening?’. The only people who know are Welsh Government and I am disappointed that they have refused to attend the meeting and update the Community to answer their questions. I invited the stakeholders, Powys County Council, Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, and all refused to attend. Talybont-on-Usk Community Council were advised not to participate from One Voice Wales. These empty chairs speak volumes of the contempt and disdain that Welsh Labour Government have for this community."
“I will be compiling everyone’s questions and submitting these to Welsh Government to try to get some answers," he continued. "Only when we have information and consultation can we all make informed decisions about whether this proposal is right for the site, right for the community and worth the £4.25m of taxpayers' money."
Residents joined the meeting after receiving leaflets, which outlined the plans for the farm site. Many expressed their dismay at the plans outlined in the leaflet, which Green Man claims will raise £23m for the local economy and create 300 jobs. This would make it potentially one of the largest commercial farming enterprises in the UK.
A resident said: "The comments from the Welsh Government and the national parks saying they were not attending because they feared for their safety were very upsetting. Not even Powys County Council could be bothered to turn up. Even our own community council declined to attend. We did have a few councillors from Bwlch and Crickhowell concerned about the impact it will have on their areas. James Evans was the only one to attend."
Philip Darbyshire, co-chair of the Usk Valley Conservation Group said: “Green Man runs festivals: festivals are hardly sustainable beacons of environmental best practice. They have set out a vague business plan to acquire this property which has been bought by the Welsh Government and funded by Welsh taxpayers. Why are we all being made to pay for this? Why have we not been properly consulted? Who is in charge and why are they not offering an open tender?
“There are also serious concerns about additional traffic. Villages like Llangynidr already experience terrible congestion during the Green Man festival - we fear these proposals will mean they face those sorts of problems throughout the year.”
A spokesperson for Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority said: "Bannau Brycheiniog NPA was not in a position to provide the public meeting with any information in addition to the recent Ministerial Statement on Gilestone Farm. When it is initiated by Welsh Government we will work with them and with Powys County Council and Talybont Community Council to promote constructive community engagement on the future use of Gilestone farm. In the meantime we continue to engage with Talybont Community Council on other matters of community interest."
The Welsh Government has created a frequently asked page, to answer any concerns people may have, as well as ensuring accurate information is being provided, which was released in a statement.
A spokesperson for the Welsh Government responded, saying: "The invitation to attend the meeting of 8th June was raised in the Senedd by James Evans MS at a session of First Minister’s Questions on 11 May 2023, a month prior to the meeting. The position of the Welsh Government was made clear by the First Minister during his response when he noted the Welsh Government would not be attending the meeting as he was “not convinced that a public meeting is guaranteed to provide more light than heat on these matters”. The First Minister also confirmed that the Welsh Government would support constructive community engagement alongside Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, Talybont-on-Usk Community Council and Powys County Council. More information will be shared via the Community Council communication channels when available.”
Organisers for the Gilestone Farm project said they were not aware of the meeting.
A spokesman said: “As James Evans is aware, the Gilestone Farm project recently launched a community conversation on its plans, with 4,000 leaflets outlining our intended activities distributed to the local area and a dedicated project website being launched at www.gilestonefarmproject.co.uk where we can be contacted directly. We were not aware of the meeting as James Evans didn't invite anyone from our organisation to attend."
They emphasised the project is beneficial to the local area, saying: "At the heart of this project is a fantastic opportunity to boost the Mid-Wales rural economy and most crucially, create opportunities for young people. We have already received lots of positive feedback about the project from local residents and organisations who want to get involved to help bring about positive change for the area and we look forward to further engagement in the future.”
Cllr James Gibson-Watt, Leader of Powys County Council, said: “The council received an invitation to attend this meeting. This invitation was declined as it is not the council’s role to provide information about the plans being developed for Gilestone Farm, as this is a matter for the Welsh Government and Green Man.
“Any proposal that offers the prospect of creating sustainable, skilled jobs for young people has to be of great interest to Powys County Council. The potential commercial arrangement between the Powys-based organisation behind Green Man and the Welsh Government at Gilestone Farm is something in principle I very much support, but I would urge people to take part in the community conversation about this project that has been launched.
"Whatever develops there must fulfil the requirements of the appropriate organisations authorised to give permissions within the Usk Special Area of Conservation. Powys County Council will work with all parties to ensure that this happens.”
Green Man festival is expected to remain at the Glanusk Estate, with no expectation that it will move to Gilestone Farm.
The Green Man Festival have created a website, which provides further information and context to their vision for the site. It can be found at https://www.gilestonefarmproject.co.uk.