More than 500 people along with neighbouring councils objected to the windfarm on Betws mountain, claiming it would spoil the countryside.

But when councillors visited the site on Tuesday they were also met by campaigners backing the development.

They passed the application by Eco2 Limited by a vote of 15 to four after more than two hours of debate.

The turbines are due to be mostly between 270m - 320m (885ft - 1,050ft) above sea level.

Councillors were told that the scheme conflicted with some of the local authority's policies, on landscape and environment, amenity and open space.

But they also heard that assembly government targets on climate change and renewable energy needed to be considered as well.

After the meeting, council head of planning Eifion Bowen said: "The application was considered carefully by the planning committee who visited the site and heard directly from objectors to the scheme.

"Whilst recognising its significant impact on the landscape, the committee recognised its obligation to meet Welsh assembly targets for renewable energy generation and the reduction in carbon emissions.

"The consent is subject to a number of conditions to mitigate some of the effects of the scheme."