AN application to extend a Falcon breeding and training centre near Brecon, has been given the green light.

Mohammed Hillal Bin Tarraf, who owns Nad Al Shiba Avian Reproduction Research Centre in Dubai, the only commercial falcon breeding centre in the Middle East, will be allowed to expand the centre at Ynys y Bont, Aberbran.

The plans for the centre near Aberbran have been brought to Powys County Council’s planning committee after being called in by local county councillor, Iain McIntosh (Conservative, Yscir), who voted against the proposal.

The new buildings are two for falcon breeding purposes, an imprint building, an ancillary building and plant building.

This would see the centre’s capacity increase to be able to keep up to 194 falcons.

PCC principal planning officer Gemma Bufton said that the scheme would fit into the area, she said : “There are other farmsteads around and it’s in a bowl with higher land surrounding the site.”

Ms Bufton added that more passing bays would be included on the unclassified roads as a condition to accommodate more traffic due to the creation of seven more jobs.

Waste from falcons would be taken away from the site once every six months said Ms Bufton.

Cllr Francesca Jump (Liberal Democrat – Welshpool Gungrog) asked: “Should we have any concerns how these birds are looked after?

“I also presume (from the report) you feed quails to the falcons?”

Ms Bufton answered that there were welfare standards that the site has to stick to.

“In one of the existing buildings on the site they actually breed quail and that is to feed the falcons, that’s why there’s limited vehicle movements here, as the feed is provided on site,” said Ms Bufton.

But Cllr McIntosh (Conservative – Yscir) was critical of the plans: “I know this area very, very well, and for me the main thing is the visual impact. For me it’s too much for the area.

“If this was a farm that needed to diversify it would be a different story, but this is for a guy who sell falcons abroad”

“I don’t understand why could this not be put on an industrial estate?

“I find it very difficult to support this and it will not really be creating many jobs.”

Cllr Hywel Lewis (Independent – Llangunllo): “I disagree. It is a poultry unit as such and would not be very suitable on an industrial site.

“They are very self sufficient, it’s a form of diversification and I will move the recommendation to approve.”

The application was voted through unanimously with  only Cllr McIntosh voting against the proposal.