COUNCILLORS voted to carry out a site visit before deciding upon plans to erect a wind turbine in the north of the county.

A planning application to site a 45.5m turbine at Sarnau, Cilrhedyn, Llanfyrnach came before Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee last week.

The turbine would have a generating capacity of 250kW.

Planning officers recommended that the application be approved subject to conditions, which included noise levels mitigation and the provision of a construction traffic management plan.

Speaking on behalf of the applicant, David Jones said the location of the proposal avoided sites of historical importance and there had been no objections from statutory consultees or council officers.

He added that no properties would be affected by shadow flicker and the development would allow his client to gain economic benefits.”

Mr Thomas lives near the site in question. He told the committee that he did not object lightly to the proposal. He said that the homes of nearby residents were in fact closer than the council’s officers had measured and the noise maps needed to be re-calculated.

“I have taken the liberty of purchasing my own measuring reel,” he said.

The local member Councillor Rod Bowen said: “There are more and more turbines being built in north Pembrokeshire and it’s important for us to get the decision right. There are seven different turbine sites that are visible from this proposal – along with others which have had planning permission.”

His motion to carry out a site visit was backed by 12 councillors. Cllr Jacob Williams abstained.