The future of the iconic view from Dylan Thomas’s Boathouse at Laugharne is set to be legally determined today (Tuesday).

A judicial review in Cardiff is due to decide whether planning permission for a 45m wind turbine across the estuary from Laugharne should be upheld or rejected.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s planning committee gave permission for the turbine at Mwche Farm, Llanstephan against the recommendation of its officers.

In the storm of protest which followed, Dylan Thomas’s granddaughter, Hannah Ellis, said: “It is appalling to allow such a special place to be ruined in this way, and this huge turbine will certainly pierce the heart of the landscape and cause lasting distress to both locals and visitors alike.”

The move was described by the National Trust as a ‘mistake that would destroy an iconic view that has survived untouched for generations’.

Residents have challenged the consent on a number of grounds, including the claim that the planning committee acted ‘irrationally’ in departing from officer advice on landscape and cultural heritage harm.

A spokesperson for the local campaigners commented:

“We are not a group of anti-wind turbine activists, we are a group seeking a common sense approach to the siting of them. The forthcoming judicial review has given our communities a ray of hope to end what has been a dark and distressing time for us all.’’

Campaigners have been touched by the generosity of people raising money to cover the legal costs. Donations large and small from pensioners, children and people from all walks of life have been received though a further £12,000 is still urgently required. Information on how to support the campaign can be viewed on www.dylanthomaswindturbine.co.uk or by contacting the campaign solicitors www.richardbuxton.co.uk based in Cambridge.