A planning inspector has upheld a decision by Pembrokeshire County Council to refuse planning permission for a wind turbine near Pembroke.

The appeal by David John was dismissed by Inspector A. D. Poulter because of the effects of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area.

Mr. John applied to build a 100kW wind turbine - measuring 30m high to its hub and 42m to blade tip - in a field at Lammaston Farm south of Pembroke in June 2013.

The application was refused by Pembrokeshire County Council in May 2014 and Mr. John appealed.

Inspector Poulter said that the main issues in the appeal concerned the effect of the proposed turbine on the character and appearance of the area - and its effect on the setting of heritage assets including listed buildings and conservation areas.

In dismissing the appeal, he said the proposed development would not be compliant with the Local Development Plan which, although it supported developments that would enable the supply of renewable energy, also required that solutions must be environmentally acceptable.

"The proposed turbine would generate electricity from renewable resources and thus contribute to binding targets, help to reduce carbon emissions and combat the causes of global warming. It would also help to financially support the farming of the land in a sustainable manner..." he said.

"However, the conflict with the purposes of the National Park and harm to the setting of listed buildings that I have identified are considerations that carry great weight. Although the turbine would have a limited working life, the harm would subsist for the equivalent of a generation.

"On balance, I consider that the benefits of the proposal would be clearly outweighed by the harm and conflict with planning policy that I have identified."