COUNCILLORS are to carry out a site visit before deciding on wind turbine plans in East Williamston.

The application came before the Planning and Rights of Way Committee on Tuesday, October 6, seeking permission to site a 77m wind turbine on Prouts Park Farm.

Planning officers recommended that the application be conditionally approved, despite objections from East Williamston Community Council.

Addressing councillors, applicant Ben Ferguson-Walker said: “The turbine will be owned by Community Energy in Pembrokeshire, which is a community interest company and open to membership to anyone in the county."

He added that every penny of profit will be reinvested back into the community.

Speaking on behalf of objectors was Mary Sinclair, chairman of the Pembrokeshire Branch of The Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales.

She said: “At 77m the turbine will have a major impact on homes in the village and in the immediate surrounding area.

“Residents in Ludchurch have suffered for one and a half years from excessive noise from turbines and are still waiting for the noise condition to be enforced. If the noise condition is not enforced there, it won’t be enforced here either.

“Given the proximity of so many homes to this proposed turbine it would be highly improper if a site visit did not take place.”

Cllr Jacob Williams then read a statement on behalf of East Williamston Community Council, of which he is a member. It said: “The area is not suitable for this type of development due to its extensive visual impact which will be detrimental to the residents.”

Speaking during the debate, Cllr Williams said he supported the request for a site visit. His motion was backed by 11 councillors and the application will be decided at a later date.