A PLANNING appeal into erecting two wind turbines near Castlemorris was held in Letterston Memorial Hall last week.

Pembrokeshire County Council unanimously refused proposals to site two 79 metre structures at Penybanc last October.

In both cases, the planning officer’s report said: “The proposal, by reasons of the turbine’s height and location, would have a significant adverse impact on the character and visual amenity of the area, including the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.”

350 people objected alongside the National Park, including Dyfed Archaeological Trust, Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales, CADW and Mathry Community Council.

Planning inspector Kay Sheffield was appointed to oversee the appeal on behalf of the Welsh Government. She attended a site visit on Thursday, July 17, describing it as ‘very successful.’

Around 25 people gathered in the Memorial Hall the following morning, during which people were allowed to voice their objections and support for the scheme.

Alex Woodrow lives near the proposed site at Penybanc. He said: “I’m under no illusion that what I say will have any bearing on the decision.

“But I wouldn’t want you to go back to Cardiff not understanding the attitudes to the Penybanc wind turbines in the local community. Just look at the postcodes of the people who have objected.”

Mr Woodrow added: “People who live in the countryside are in some sense its custodians. We have a responsibility to preserve and defend it.”

Martin Horne spoke on behalf of the supporters. He said: “It is inevitable that wind turbines will have some degree of impact on the environment around them. In this case, the applicants have considered how they can minimise any potential impact by not only engaging with local residents at a public meeting, but also by presenting an alternative location plan for consideration by the closest neighbours.”

He added: “I don’t expect any level of consultation will satisfy all members of the public who feel affected by such a proposal, but the applicants should be recognised for attempting to engage with their neighbours at a very early stage.”