COUNCILLORS voted to carry out a site visit before deciding on plans to erect a 54 metre wind turbine near Boncath.

The application from Windberry Energy Operations came before Pembrokeshire’s planning committee on Tuesday, January 7.

It sought permission to build a 330kW wind turbine on agricultural land north east of Maesyderi, Blaenffos.

Planning officers recommended that the plans be refused due to the information being submitted with the application being inadequate to demonstrate that the proposed wind turbine would have an adverse impact on the visual amenity and character of the area.

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority objected due to the visual impact, and Dyfed Archaeological Trust objected due to the quality of the supporting material.

A previous application in August 2012 sought permission for a 62 metre turbine, but this was withdrawn in January 2013 due to concerns by the Ministry of Defence with regard to the impact on their training area at Aberporth.

The applicant’s agent Phil Howcroft addressed the committee.

He said: “This revised scheme is nearly five kilometres away from the National Park and we’ve been fully able to resolve the MOD’s concerns.

He added that a request for further information from the planning officer was only made just two weeks before the committee meeting, which was unacceptable.

The local member, Councillor Rod Bowen put forward a motion to attend a site visit to clarify any misconceptions in the planning report. 12 councillors voted in favour.