The appeal against the refusal of permission for a 36 metre wind turbine on land at Pen-y-clawdd has been dismissed.

The Planning Inspectorate considered the main issues in this case were the effect of the proposal on, firstly, the character and appearance of the surrounding rural area and, secondly, bats.

He was unable to determine with "any degree of certainty whether the proposal would impact adversely on bat species" and that he did not consider "that the turbine would represent an unpleasantly overwhelming and unavoidable presence in main views from any house or garden such that the property concerned would come to be widely regarded as an unattractive and thus an unsatisfactory place in which to live."

He also concluded that noise levels would be within the indicative levels.

However he felt that the impact of such a structure would be substantial and significant in the area and as a result, the proposal conflicts with Local Development Plan (LDP).

Nik Ramage of the Protect Pen-y-clawdd group said: "We are really pleased with the Inspector's decision to dismiss the appeal. On balance, he found that the benefits of this wind turbine would not outweigh the harm it would do to the surrounding area - the landscape and ecology. It has been heartening to see how our community has pulled together to fight our case and protect our wonderful countryside."

The applicant, Jeremy Bayliss commented: "The Bayliss family are bitterly disappointed and saddened by the verdict of the planning appeal, regarding the renewable energy application.

"It seems ironic, that the decision comes in the same week that a UN backed expert panel, reported that most of the world's electricity can, and must be, produced from low carbon sources by 2050, if not the world faces severe, pervasive and irreversible damage.

"As a country we continue to face a significant challenge to maintain energy supply, tackle climate change and maintain affordable energy prices: the proposed turbine would have made a positive contribution to all of these issues.

"The objectors will have been patting themselves on the back, but stopping single turbine applications in Monmouthshire suggests that the objectors would prefer to import energy from elsewhere in the world and potentiate electricity blackouts, in the near future.

"Finally, we would like to thank everybody who has supported us through this enlightening process, and the business will now consider alternative uses for this site, to ensure the family farm remains viable."