A leading Welsh Government civil servant has said calling off plans of a partnership with Green Man has not been ruled out despite buying a £4.25m farm for the festival in Powys. Andrew Slade, director of economy and the treasury, was speaking to the Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee on Thursday after Green Man submitted its business plan for Gilestone Farm near Talybont-on-Usk.
The Welsh Government now plans to commit to a "full due diligence and assessment" process to decide whether to proceed with the venture or not, despite already having spent so much money on it. The government has also not ruled out selling the farm.
If the plans do go ahead, then the Green Man Festival will continue to be held at Glan Usk. Mr Slade said purchase of the separate farm would offer a site which would allow the Green Man brand to diversify its operations as a "jewel in Wales' crown'. Both the festival and the Welsh Government have been vague about what the site would be used for but festival boss Fiona Stewart has said she would live there.
