Planning permission for a 33-metre wind turbine on land owned by former county council leader John Davies has been refused.

An application to build a 500kw turbine measuring 33 metres to blade tip at Cwmbetws, Eglwyswrw, was turned down at a meeting of the planning and rights of way committee last week.

Among concerns raised was the cumulative impact the turbine would have when combined with a taller turbine at nearby AJ Recycling, which was granted planning permission in March.

Cllr Keith Lewis said he had taken ‘particular interest’ in the application, as it fell within his ward of Crymych.

He reminded members of similar applications at Princes Gate in Narberth, where high hedges and banks had helped the application, adding “topography is important”.

He also highlighted the fact that photo montages of how the turbines would look, sent by Mr Davies’ agents to the county council, seemed to have gone missing, despite being sent by recorded delivery.

Cllr David Pugh agreed that the fact the officer’s recommendation for refusal was based on incomplete information was “quite a serious issue that we need to get to the bottom of”.

“I’m not happy with this at all,” he added.

However Cllr Brian Hall said the application “obviously does not tick the boxes that our planning officers need”, and that – if granted – would “open the floodgates” for similar developments.

Ten councillors voted in favour of refusing the application, with three abstentions and Cllr Lewis voting against.