Welsh Government 'rushed' purchase of festival farm, now worth half a million pounds less
Politics
The Welsh Government made 'avoidable mistakes' during the 'rushed' purchase of a Powys farm that is now worth half a million pounds less than it cost, according to a report by the Senedd's watchdog committee.
Gilestone Farm, near Talybont-on-Usk, was bought in 2022 for £4.25m, as part of a plan to secure the future of the Green Man Festival, a plan that was finally scuppered when nesting ospreys were discovered on the site.
But the Senedd's Public Accounts and Public Administration committee has found what it calls 'signifiant failings in the handling of the acquisition".
The committee's report says that the purchase was 'rushed' because of end-of-year budget pressures. It says the property, which is still owned by the Welsh Government but run as a working farm, is now worth half a million pounds less than its value in 2022.
The Welsh Government insists that it followed 'proper processes' in buying the farm and that it continues to explore 'potential opportunities for its future use".
Mark Isherwood, who chairs the Public Accounts and Public Administration committee, said: 'The Committee is deeply concerned by the Welsh Government's handling of the purchase of Gilestone Farm.
"While we recognise the importance of acting swiftly to support the creative sector, this decision was taken with avoidable haste and without the thorough due diligence that the public rightly expects. It raises serious questions about internal processes and the robustness of governance structures.
'Furthermore, the Welsh Government must do more to ensure that communities are not only consulted but genuinely listened to. Engagement must be meaningful, inclusive, and consistent.
'The significant loss in the value of the property is particularly notable in the current financial climate, and we expect the Welsh Government to clarify its future intentions for the site and to set out how it will mitigate the financial loss to the public purse.
'To ensure lessons are learned, the Committee will want to carry out further work looking at the Welsh Government's approach to property investments, to assess whether current processes are sufficiently rigorous and fit for purpose.'
The Welsh Government will now consider the report and issue its response. A spokesperson said: 'Gilestone Farm was acquired in 2022, following proper processes and in keeping with market values at the time, in order to support the growth of the Creative Sector in Wales and a stronger Mid-Wales economy.
'We were delighted to learn in August 2023 of the arrival of the pair of mating ospreys, which returned in 2024, and again this year. Their first egg hatched in early June 2025. This is believed to be a first for the Usk Valley in at least 250 years and marks an important milestone in the protection of this important species.
'The arrival of the ospreys necessarily impacted on the planned use of the farm, and the original project had to be stopped. Gilestone remains one of the Welsh Government's property assets, and is being managed on our behalf as a working farm. We continue to explore potential opportunities for its future use, in keeping with our commitment to seek a sustainable outcome that helps local communities thrive.
'We will read the Committee's report with interest, and respond in due course.'
The Welsh Conservatives have renewed their criticism in the wake of today's report. Brecon and Radnorshire MS, James Evans, said: "The purchase of Gilestone Farm should never have happened in the first place and the process around its purchase raises serious questions about Welsh Government internal procedures.
'The Labour Government has spent millions without a full, open tendering process or meaningful engagement with the community. Public funds must be spent with care and due diligence.
'The next time the Labour Government reaches for the cheque book, they should listen to local concerns and act with far greater transparency. In the meantime, Gilestone Farm remains the most expensive publicly owned 'bird nest' in history.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Argus
a day ago
- South Wales Argus
Community council by-election in Portskewett and Pontypool
Conservative candidate Lisa Dymock triumphed in the by-election to Portskewett Community Council which is the third consecutive week the Tories have defeated Reform candidates in elections to the volunteer councils in Monmouthshire. Cllr Dymock, who already represents the Portskewett ward on Monmouthshire County Council, was congratulated on her victory in the village's Leechpool ward by the party's leader in the Senedd, Darren Millar and the UK party's deputy chairman Matt Vickers MP. The Welsh Tory chief posted on social media platform X 'Another cracking by-election result for the @Conservatives here in Wales!' while shadow cabinet member Mr Vickers posted congratulations and: 'Smashing result from the @WelshConserv team!' They shared a post from the party's account that showed the Conservative's had taken 83.9 per cent of the vote compared to just 16.1 per cent for Reform in the contest that featured only two candidates. In total there were 52 votes cast for Cllr Dymock who was listed as a 'Local Conservative' on the ballot paper, while Reform's Thomas Kenneth Crawley received 10 votes. The total electorate is only 181 and the 62 votes cast amounted to a 34 per cent turnout. The result was announced less than 10 minutes after the polls closed. Despite Reform's failure to win any of the Monmouthshire community council seats it contested in July the party still has a chance of making a breakthrough at the Goytre ward by-election to Goetre Community Council on Thursday, August 7 which will also feature a Conservative and two unaffiliated candidates. The Leechpool ward was previously held by the Conservatives, the only political party represented on the 10 member council. In neighbouring Torfaen Reform took a seat previously held by Labour, on Pontypool Community Council. Though community councils aren't run on party lines Reform will see candidate Sarah Lang's victory in the Trevethin ward as significant. It forms part of the Trevethin and Penygarn ward the party won from Labour in a by-election to Torfaen Borough Council in February, the first time a Reform candidate had won an election standing for the party in Wales. Reform's Ms Lang received 263 votes to defeat Labour candidate Chris Peploe, who had 131 votes, in the community council by-election. Reform now has two members on Pontypool Community Council, after Stephen Senior who was elected as a Conservative in February, defected to the party. Labour remains the largest party on the council with 16 members while the Conservatives have three councillors. Reform UK newly elected community councillor for Trevethin Sarah Lang with supporters including borough councillor Stuart Keyte (left). At next year's Senedd elections Monmouthshire and Torfaen will be combined to form one constituency, electing six Senedd Members, using a proportional voting system and though the recent by-elections are only a small sample the results may suggest Reform's core support is in Torfaen rather than Monmouthshire. The candidates standing in the Goytre ward by-election to Goetre Community Council are Andrew Michael Butler (Local Conservatives); Neil James Parry; Martin John Stevens (Reform UK) and Maureen Catherine Willcox. Anyone aged 16 or over is entitled to vote in council elections and there is no need to show voter ID or bring a polling card to the polling stations which will be open from 7am to 10pm. Results Portskewett Community Council, Leechpool Ward Thomas Kenneth Crawley (Reform UK) 10 Lisa Claire Dymock (Local Conservatives) 52 Elected Spoilt papers: 0 Turnout: 34 per cent Pontypool Community Council, Trevethin Ward Sarah Lang (Reform UK) 263 Elected Chris Peploe (Welsh Labour) 131 Spoilt papers: 0 Turnout: 15.5 per cent
Powys County Times
a day ago
- Powys County Times
Opinion: Powys County Council to blame for school's woes
It's summer! School holidays, seaside day trips, harvest time and of course a local show every weekend for everyone to enjoy. Local shows do offer an affordable family day out in comparison to the Royal Welsh Show, but the Royal Welsh is like no other show, Wales at its best, and it plays a huge role in the promotion of the farming and food sector in Wales. For those that attend, they would not have been left in any doubt about the quality of food and drink produced here in Wales. Every farmer I speak to, their number one priority is to produce food for our nation, but it is getting more difficult every day, UK and Welsh governments appear to have different priorities. The long awaited 'new' sustainable farming scheme still forces farmers to plant trees; it will lead to real terms cuts in funding and there was not one mention of food security in the latest draft of this policy. Welsh Government through legislation distort priorities, it adds to red tape that will see food production fall here in Wales, we will become ever more reliant on imports at a time when the cost of feeding our families is increasing, and I haven't even mentioned UK Labour's Government Family Farm Tax. Farmers want to farm, they love their farms but are seeing their business suffocated by Welsh Government, the same is true for many small businesses across mid Wales they want the freedom to do what they do best. Small and medium sized business are the backbone to the local economy. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, in County Hall, the wheels are falling off the Liberal Democrat/Labour run Council. The Cabinet's incoherent transformation programme and refusal to properly fund education has led to one of the best schools going into special measures. However, there is a little bit of good news, the Cabinet conceded that their home to school transport policy is simply not good enough and needs to be changed, but Welsh Government legislation makes the process of change slow. Therefore, I was pleased to gain a commitment to help support parental choice through the appeals process, to over come the difficulties of the Council's newly introduced Home to School transport policy. Hopefully readers will be able to attend their local show.
Leader Live
2 days ago
- Leader Live
Farmers Union of Wales reacts to this years Royal Welsh Show
This year's Royal Welsh Show was a resounding success once again for the FUW Group. The Pavilion was a hive of activity throughout the week, welcoming members, the public, politicians and policymakers to discuss the many changes and challenges facing Welsh agriculture. A key highlight of the week was the launch of the Union's 'A Mandate for Future Farmers' report, outlining the FUW's vision for increasing opportunities for young farmers and new entrants in Wales. A well-attended launch, chaired by the FUW's Policy Officer, Teleri Fielden, gave 3 young farmers an opportunity to share their own experiences of farming. Meanwhile representatives from Farming Connect and Wales YFC also gave further insight into some of the opportunities and challenges facing new entrants and young farmers. As the dust continues to settle following the launch of the Sustainable Farming Scheme, Monday saw a jam-packed seminar on the subject, providing members and the public with the opportunity to question the Welsh Government on elements of the SFS, and what it means for their own businesses. Wednesday morning also provided an opportunity to delve into the Welsh Government's new Ffermio Bro agri-environment scheme, exploring its potential to support farmers within Wales' National Parks and Designated Landscapes. Beyond policy discussions the week also provided an opportunity for celebration, with the FUW marking its 70th birthday. A panel discussion was held on Wednesday to mark the occasion, bringing together Glyn Roberts, Huw Jones, Ann Davies MP and Tom Jones. Chaired by Dei Tomos, this provided the panellists and the audience with the opportunity to reminisce and reflect on seventy years of the FUW. Throughout the week the FUW Presidential team and policy officers met with a wide range of politicians from all political parties, ensuring the voice and concerns of members were heard loud and clear. These included First Minister, Eluned Morgan MS, Deputy First Minister, Huw Irranca Davies MS, UK Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch MP, Dame Nia Griffith MP, and several Plaid Cymru MPs and MS'. As well as responding to a steady stream of interview bids from the media on everything from the SFS to Agricultural Property Relief, mental health to the India Trade Deal, there was also an opportunity for some entertainment too, with Bwncath's Tuesday night gig a sell-out once again. A successful Presidential Reception was also held, rewarding Glyn Roberts, John Owen and Alun Elidyr for their huge contributions to Welsh agriculture. Thanks to everyone who called by our pavilion this year, and made the Show a resounding success once again. We look forward to continuing our stream of county shows across Wales over the coming weeks.
