THE public gallery let out a loud cheer when plans for a wind turbine in Mathry were turned down this week.

The application, which sought permission to site a 34.5 metre turbine on land to the south of Castle Cenlas, had been recommended for conditional approval.

Members of the planning committee attended a site visit on September 2.

The applicant’s agent Martin Horne addressed the committee last Tuesday (September 9) and urged councillors to keep in mind that the nearest dwellings would be more than 750 metres away.

Mr Horne also asked members to differentiate between the assessment criteria and the emotions of the objectors.

Annie Loch, who owns a nearby campsite, also addressed the committee.

She said: “We are not talking here about the generalised threat of turbines in the area but the specific threat to our business due to the over bearing presence of a large turbine twirling at a different speed to the applicant’s existing smaller turbine within the same line of sight.

“We don’t and never have had an issue with the smaller less dominant turbine, (indeed we have a similar small turbine of our own) but in conjunction with this larger turbine it will exacerbate the effect.

“Having seen our site please consider whether when choosing a peaceful and tranquil holiday campsite would you want to pay for a view with a dominating, flashing turbine in the next field.”

During the debate, Councillor Gwilym Price said: “I went on the site visit and I don’t want to see a proliferation of turbines in such a beautiful and tranquil area.”

Cllr Peter Stock said: “If I was coming on holiday to the area I wouldn’t like to see a turbine.

“We have already refused one in a similar location.”

His motion to go against the recommendation for approval on the grounds of landscape and visual impact was seconded by Cllr Price. Five councillors voted in favour of refusal, three against and one abstained.