ARE people keen to hold on to a county based more on the charm of tourist attractions, or will industrial farming continue to signpost our way forward?

Another massive chicken breeding factory is set to be started up very near to the site of the historic Penrhos Court near Kington which, as it happens, has also been up for sale.

Penrhos used to be a bit of a tourist attraction and an early hang-out for musician Mike Oldfield.

But would any deal go ahead with chicken sheds on its doorstep?

This kind of proves a point about industrial farming and tourism.

Would this not be an historic slap, or should I say slop, in the face of history and tourism in our neck of the woods?

The American corporate Cargill took over Sun Valley years ago.

Like many other UK firms, much of the value of the company was taken out. Herefordshire is now left with sub-contracting and supplier work – like the above supplier factory.

But while the Hereford factory employs some, it really is the Cargill folks back in the USA that rub their hands with glee as more profits pour into their far away coffers.

Do you really think they have time to care about inhabitants here?

We all know how good our council is – look at the state of our roads. So will the council approve this one-sided plan and leave us with yet more stink, increasing truck movements gouging deeper holes in our already appalling road network?

Mark Balcombe The Beacon Kington