THE public gallery cheered as plans for a wind turbine at The Paddock in Mathry were narrowly turned down last week.

The application for a 34.2 metre turbine had been recommended for approval ahead of the planning committee meeting on Tuesday, January 7.

The turbine would have been sited approximately 3.5 kilometres south of Mathry, and would have been capable of generating enough electricity to power 43 homes a year.

Members of the committee carried out a site visit on September 25 last year, and it was deferred on October 1 to allow further information to be submitted in relation to the cumulative impact of the scheme and to further assess the turbine’s impact on nearby residents.

More than 100 letters of objection have been received, and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority has also objected.

The applicant's agent Martin Horne addressed the committee.

He said: “In recent months a number of wind turbine applications have been turned down because they have had insufficient information. We recognise the importance of getting it right.”

He added that no neighbouring dwellings would be adversely affected by the noise.”

Local resident Gary Locke spoke on behalf of the objectors.

He said: “I want to talk about real people and the appalling way their views have been overlooked”

“There are eight turbines visible from the area – and this one is ridiculously close to a private dwelling. It’s a real kick in the teeth.

“The right thing to do would be to refuse the application.”

Councillor Philip Baker’s motion to go against recommendation and refuse the proposal was seconded by Cllr Jacob Thomas. The reasons given were: visual impact; visual amenity, cumulative impact; and the number of objectors.

Seven councillors voted in favour of refusal, and six were against the amendment. The application was therefore refused.