Councillors have unanimously rejected a planning application to build a wind farm in an environmentally sensitive north Wales valley.

Wrexham County Council followed the recommendations of its planning officers to block plans for three 300f-tall wind turbines at Cefn Coed in the Ceiriog valley.

Protestors had gathered outside the city's Guildhall before the meeting brandishing placards, and packed the public gallery inside once it got underway.

Brian Wilson: UK Energy Minister

Local residents had claimed the plans would have a devastating effect on the local community and spoil views overlooking Llangollen and Chirk.

The applicants, Gareth and Gaenor Roberts, wanted to build the turbines on a hill above Llwynmawr and Dolywern in the Ceiriog valley.

They would have generated enough electricity to power 2,400 homes.

But the strength of opposition was made clear by the 1,410 letters against the proposal received by the council - only 20 were written in favour of it.

Local campaigners said the site was an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Application caused "trauma"

During the meeting, Cllr Warren Coleman was one of several members who raised the need for improved guidelines on wind farms from the Welsh Assembly and the government in Westminster.

He said it would be wrong if every village in Wales were forced to "submit to the trauma" that the application had caused in the Ceiriog valley.

A fellow councillor said a national policy should be put in place.

The applicant, Mr Roberts said he was "obviously disappointed" by the council's decision.

"Time will probably reverse the decision and we haven't given up yet," he said.

"Something has to be done about global warming, how Wrexham will contribute if it's against wind farms I don't know."

The UK Government is keen to introduce the use of wind turbines and other alternative sources of energy.

By 2010, ministers hope to have at least 10% of its electricity produced through renewable sources.