Llandegley beauty spot wind farm rejected by Powys council

Conservationists said the planned turbines would also destroy the view from Llandegley Rocks

Plans to build a wind farm at a Powys beauty spot have been rejected by councillors.

Hendy Wind Farm Ltd said its proposal to build seven turbines at Llandegley near Llandrindod Wells had the support of land owners.

The planning committee was recommended to approve it on Thursday, but voted to refuse permission.

Campaigners had said the plans could deter tourists visiting the area.

Four of the turbines would have been built on a protected public right of way, according to preservation body the Open Spaces Society.

This would make it common land, according to the group set up in 1865 to protect such areas.

Plans would have seen seven turbines built that would provide energy to power about 10,000 homes.

Ahead of the meeting Kate Ashbrook, general secretary of the Open Spaces Society, called the development "damaging".

"People visit the area because of its natural beauty, peace and tranquillity," she said.

"The turbines could deter them from coming and that would result in a serious loss of tourist income to the community."

A spokesman for Hendy Wind Farm Ltd had said: "The proposal is of course put forward with support of all the relevant land owners, and we are comfortable that we have all the rights required for the planning application."