CONTROVERSIAL plans to install a 15-metre wind turbine near Llanbedr have been given the go-ahead, despite concerns from planning officials.

The turbine, measuring 14.75 metres to the tip of the blades, has been approved on land at Tir y Tyddyn Llidiart, despite Snowdonia Park planning officers recommending refusal.

There were also objections from the Snowdonia Society, the Council for the Protection of Rural Wales and an individual local resident.

The grounds of the objections included the visual impact on the area, away from building in a prominent position, conflict with policies, no other man-made objects in an area free of pylons, and the turbine could be seen from surrounding footpaths.

The objections were similar to the objections of the planning officials.

Planning committee chairman, Cllr Caerwyn Roberts, reminded the committee that last September a site visiting committee recommended refusal and this was supported by the planning committee.

Iolyn Jones, the applicant said that he had changed the site as recommended and said that the statutory consultees including Cadw, Natural Resources Wales, Ministry of Defence nor Gwynedd highways had objected and that the local community council supported the application.

The committee granted the application with conditions as suggested by the planning officers.

See the full story in Thursday’s Meirionnydd edition of the Cambrian News