THE green ambitions of staff and students at Okehampton College have been given a lift as an energy saving scheme has been given the go-ahead.

The college had sought planning permission to install two wind turbines on Ball Hill as part of its drive to become energy-efficient.

The project was refused by West Devon Borough councillors last April, despite the advice of the planning officer to give the scheme the go-ahead. Councillors were concerned by the potential visual impact the turbines would have on the landscape.

But after going through the appeal process, the project has been given the go-ahead.

The two small-scale turbines, with a hub height of 18.3 metres and tip height of 24.8 metres, will produce 22kW of electricity. The power generated by the turbines will help to reduce the college's energy bill.

As part of the appeal agreement, the college must remove the turbines from the site within 20 years and restore the land to agricultural use.

All external surfaces shall be a matt non-reflective light grey colour, and if the turbines do not generate electricity for a six-month period, they must be removed from the site.

Planning appeal inspector Rupert Grantham wrote: 'The main issue raised by this appeal is the impact of the proposed development on the landscape and whether any harm caused would be outweighed by the benefits of these two turbines.

'The landscape in which the turbines would sit is not itself protected. The turning blades would be seen above the skyline in views up from the (listed) Simmons Park and Town Park, which are situated alongside the college and to the west of the appeal site.

'They would also be clearly visible from the public footpath which approaches Ball Hill, from the park, and from the path which runs up from the valley and passes close to the west of the proposed installation.

'Whilst the turbines would appear prominent, in these views, they would not be overly dominant. They would be seen in the context of the telecommunications mast and smaller telegraph poles which already stand on the hill-top. As such, they would not have a significant effect on the landscape character.'

Details of the planning application can be seen on the West Devon Borough Council planning website, under application number 01249/2011.