Gardd Lledfair Ltd, formed in October 2024, is seeking permission to create a one-acre garden within Y Plas, aiming to increase local food production and address climate and biodiversity issues.
The project would transform sheep pasture into a vegetable-providing agroecological market garden for the Dyfi Biosphere area.
The market garden idea came after six years of local food system projects by ecodyfi, now called Biosffer Dyfi, promoting sustainable agriculture and a stronger local food economy from 2018 to 2024.
These projects involved input from various stakeholders like retailers, consumers, farmers, growers, and hospitality businesses.
The proposal, supported by the town council and key food system elements in the Dyfi Biosphere, aims to address several 21st-century challenges, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, food security, meaningful employment, and community resilience.
The plan includes installing a 30-metre polytunnel for protected growing, two storage sheds, a packing shelter, fencing, and a new four-metre access track to Y Plas Drive.
To minimise visual impact on the Grade II* listed Y Plas building, the polytunnel would be placed westward and screened with native hedge species and ornamental plants.
Gardd Lledfair commits to using agroecological cultivation methods, avoiding agrochemicals, and adopting low-intensity techniques, including minimum-till cultivation and organic fertilisers.
This project, on land donated to the town by the 7th Marquis of Londonderry in 1948, is located on Machynlleth’s periphery, within walking distance of residential areas and the local school.
The parkland is home to several community developments, including football and rugby pitches, allotments, gardens, and a leisure centre.
Despite not being visible from Y Plas itself, the development might slightly impact the historic parkland’s aesthetic value.
However, the planning statement suggests the positive impacts would be moderate to large, helping ensure long-term economic viability of the linked heritage.
Gardd Lledfair intends to sell produce through established local chains like Mach Veg Box and Bwyd Dyfi Hwb, an Aberystwyth-based online shop.
Community involvement would initially revolve around participating in local markets and shops, with future plans to consider Community Supported Agriculture models involving local residents in growing activities.
Machynlleth Town Council would charge annual rent for the land, providing income while aiding the development of sustainable local food production.
The planning application for the market garden was submitted on February 4, 2026.
The project represents a local response to broader challenges, with the aim of creating benefits for the community and the local environment.
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