Welsh government farm purchase slammed by Senedd committee

The rushed purchase of Gilestone Farm in the Brecon Beacons by the Welsh government in 2022, to help secure a local music and arts festival, has been strongly criticised by the Senedd’s public accounts committee.

In a report published on Monday (28 July), the committee identified significant failings in the handling of the acquisition, and said it raised broader concerns about governance, due diligence, and community engagement. It called for urgent improvements.

See also: Anger as Welsh government buys farm to lease to festival firm

In March 2022, the government paid £4.25m for the freehold of Gilestone Farm, near Talybont-on-Usk in Powys, as part of a plan to secure the future of the Green Man Festival, held nearby.

The purchase drew heavy criticism at the time from farmers, who argued the farm was one of the best in the region for growing crops and said the £17,500/acre paid was way in excess of local values.

However, the Welsh government has now defended its actions, saying the farm was acquired following proper processes and in keeping with market values at the time.

It added the purchase was aimed at supporting the growth of the creative sector in Wales and a stronger Mid-Wales economy.

Osprey arrival changes plan

Plans to use the site to support the nearby Green Man Festival were put on hold, however, following the arrival of a pair of mating ospreys in August 2023.

The ospreys returned in 2024 and have also made the farm their home again this year, with the first egg hatching in early June 2025, the Welsh government said.

“Gilestone remains one of the Welsh government’s property assets and is being managed on our behalf as a working farm,” said a spokesman.

“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.”

Avoidable haste

Mark Isherwood, chairman of the Senedd’s public accounts committee, said the way the Welsh government handled the purchase was deeply concerning.

“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,” he said.

The committee chairman added it also raised serious questions about internal processes and the robustness of governance structures.

Since the purchase of the farm in 2022, it has reportedly dropped by £500,000 in value.

Expensive bird nest

Welsh Conservative member of the Senedd for Brecon and Radnorshire, James Evans, said the purchase shouldn’t have happened in the first place.

“The next time the Labour government reaches for the cheque book, they should listen to local concerns and act with far greater transparency,” he said.

“In the meantime, Gilestone Farm remains the most expensive publicly owned ‘bird nest’ in history.”