A plan for a "huge" 67m high wind turbine on a Rhydowen farm has been turned down by Ceredigion planners.

Instead the Davies family, who farm at Maesnewydd, have been asked to submit a smaller plan on the same site.

"This application is huge," said Cllr Roland Rees-Evans at this week's development control meeting.

"It would be better to try and persuade them to have a smaller sized turbine."

More than 80 letters of objection were received to the scheme, which the family claimed was needed to invest in the farm and safeguard its future.

Cllr Lynon Lloyd backed the application.

"Why are Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire giving permission for this size of turbines but just across the border in Ceredigion we are saying no. We should be supporting a development like this for the benefit of the community."

Local councillor Peter Davies said the family had worked the farm for four generations.

"The family feel that the can diversify by erecting this wind turbine and that will enable them to invest in the farm," he said.

"These are challenging financial times for farmers."

However, planning officer Rosemary Rees said giving the go-ahead to the turbine would "set a dangerous precedent".

* The MoD withdrew their objection to the scheme.