COUNCILLORS went against planning officer’s advice and approved plans to site a 54 metre wind turbine near Boncath.

Pembrokeshire’s planning committee met on Tuesday, March 11 to discuss the application from Windberry Energy Operations .

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 not, either individually or cumulatively with other wind turbine development in the locality, have a significant adverse impact on the visual amenity and character of the area, or the setting of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

Carys Vaughan addressed the committee on behalf of the applicant. She spoke as a planning graduate and also as the daughter of the landowners.

She said this is a time to support a family farm.

“Only a year ago this committee approved a turbine which was closer to the National Park.

“We don’t want to harm the National Park, or its qualities. The impact of the turbine would be very minor.”

Councillor Rod Bowen said: “We have seen the site. It’s quite a remote location and there is no local opposition to it.”

His motion to approve the application was seconded by Cllr Peter Morgan.

Cllr Peter Stock said: “I’m a great supporter of the farming community, but the National Park’s objection concerns me. I can’t approve anything that would be detrimental."

Following a vote, nine councillors were in favour of approval and four were against.