A PLANNING inspector has refused to grant permission for a wind turbine to be built in Manorowen.

The appeal against Pembrokeshire County Council was dismissed by Inspector Aidan McCooey, following a hearing and site visit on March 4 this year.

The applicant William Idris James wanted permission to erect a 34.5 metre turbine in a field south west of the farm complex at Hendre Wen. The site is approximately 550 metres from the hamlet of Panteg, 540 metres from the Castell Hendre Wen Scheduled Ancient Monument and approximately three kilometres from the boundary of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

The application was discussed at October’s planning and rights of way committee, during which councillors went against the officer’s recommendation to approve the development.

Speaking on behalf of the objectors at the meeting was Raymond Griffiths, a resident of Panteg.

He said: “We can hear the current turbines at Panteg, especially when the wind is fairly quiet. We can’t sit in the garden and we can’t even sit inside with the windows open without having the constant noise.”

Councillor Gwilym Price said: “I cannot support this application. I have every sympathy for farmers in the area, but I must take into account the residents of Panteg. It’s an area of outstanding beauty.”

In his report, Mr McCooey outlined the major issues as being: the impact of the proposed turbine on the character and appearance of the area (both individually and cumulatively with existing turbines), the effect on the living conditions of local residents and the impact of the proposal on the setting of Castell Hendre Wen.

In his conclusion the inspector said: “I acknowledge the contribution that the proposal would make to meeting renewable energy targets. I recognise the benefit that the electricity generated would bring to the appellant’s farming business. However, these benefits do not outweigh the harm that I have identified.”