Sir,

The skylines of south Pembrokeshire are in danger of becoming turned into a 'windfarm landscape' of eight turbines planned, consented or built in an arc around the village of Ludchurch. The two largest, most conspicuous and damaging machines 284ft high (86.5m), would be sited next to a prehistoric hill fort on Middleton Top destroying its skyline setting, and over-sailing the highest ground in south Pembrokeshire.

If they are given consent, turbines will be visible one from another as 'cumulative impact' and many residents will see large circling blades from at least two sides of their homes and gardens. This will threaten their amenity and thus the value and saleability of their homes. Some of the turbines are on or close to the Knights Way, and other footpaths and bridleways which are promoted vital assets for the local tourist economy. The British Horse Society recognises that riding, already popular in the area, will become hazardous. One equestrian enterprise is less than 400m away and with full views of the largest turbines, is endangered.

The Welsh Government has recently produced a detailed 'Toolkit' study, advising councils how to plan for Renewable Energy, and has chosen Pembrokeshire as a worked example of how this should be done. Yet when we look at the map defining the seven areas suitable for wind turbines, the Ludchurch area is not included. The nearest identified sites are 'Area 7' Nash, near Cosheston; 'Area 5' east of New Hedges; and 'Area 2' south-east of Cross Hands. It is therefore unbelievable that with turbines already consented or built to the east and west of Ludchurch, Pembrokeshire County Council should consider allowing larger and even more conspicuous machines to form a link between them creating its first wind farm landscape around the highest point in south Pembrokeshire and the village of Ludchurch.

Mary Sinclair,

Chairman of the

Pembrokeshire Branch

of CPRW,

Glebe House,

Martletwy.