travelling-blogger

comments

Dylan Thomas' favourite view is set to be destroyed after Carmarthenshire councillors gave the green light to a 147ft wind turbine opposite the late poet's Boathouse.

The controversial plan was approved despite opposition from Thomas' granddaughter, locals and against a recommendation that the proposal should be refused.

The turbine will be placed on Mwche farm, Llansteffan, opposite the early 19th-century Boathouse at Laugharne, where Thomas worked in the Writing Shed with remarkable views across four estuaries.

Welsh idyll: Dylan Thomas is said to have written some of his most famous works at the Boathouse

The poem Over Sir John's Hill, the first he wrote in the Boathouse, describes the view and the birds of prey he could see, while the wildlife imagery of 'Poem on His Birthday' is also said to be inspired by the nature surrounding the property.

He is also thought to have penned Do Not Go Gentle and the play Under Milk Wood' at the property, which is now a tea room and art gallery opened by the local council.

Locals have vowed to investigate whether they can appeal the decision and Carmarthenshire council confirmed that planning officers would give detailed reasons about why they approved the scheme.

The council's head of planning has also been granted powers to set conditions on the application, the spokesman told the BBC.

The controversial decision comes in the centenary year of Thomas' birth, when cultural activities are taking place to celebrate Wales' beloved poet.

Room with a view: Thomas wrote while looking out over four estuaries when working in the Writing Shed

Visitor attraction: There are fears the area could lose tourism if the turbine is built

A council insider told the Independent the view would be 'decimated' by the development.

Laugharne community leader John Bradshaw told BBC Wales: 'That view is probably why Dylan Thomas came to Laugharne and it goes back much further than Dylan as well.

'There was such strong feeling against it [the turbine] from both sides of the river. I am just flummoxed to think they have passed it.'

The Dylan Thomas Boathouse boasts of its wonderful views of the Taf estuary and the Gower, with egrets, lapwings, herons, oystercatchers, seals and otters all populating the area.

Entry to the attraction costs £4.20 and visitors can see the furnished front parlour, an upstairs exhibition area showing a 24 minute film and visit the shop as well as eating local produce in the tea room.

There are fears the development could drive away tourists who visit the area in search of the scenery that inspired Thomas.