Andrew RT Davies has accused the Welsh Government of “playing Monopoly” after it was revealed the government-owned Gilestone Farm had seen a sizable reduction in value.
Gilestone Farm has lost over 11% of its value since in was purchased by the Welsh Government in 2022.
The farm, initially purchased by the Welsh Government as a permanent home for the Green Man Festival, cost £4.25 million of taxpayers’ money when it was bought in March 2022.
Plans for the site were derailed when legally protected nesting ospreys were discovered there, triggering a restriction zone.
In response to a written question from Andrew RT Davies, the Welsh Government’s Economy Secretary said the new value as of March 2025 was £3.75 million.
The £0.5 million drop in value represents an 11.8% reduction.
Andrew RT Davies MS, Senedd Member for South Wales Central and former Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, said:
“This has been one of the most farcical blunders I’ve ever seen from the Welsh Government.
“It never made sense to spend so many millions on a farm for a festival, without a full business plan, and now taxpayers have ownership of Wales’ most expensive bird watching spot, with its value down by ten pence in the pound.
“This should be an opportunity to reflect for the Welsh Government, who would be better off spending people’s hard-earned cash on delivering key services and driving down waiting lists rather than playing Monopoly with farms in Mid Wales.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- Written question response from the Economy Secretary attached.
- Photo of Andrew RT Davies MS attached.