VILLAGERS from Milton Abbot, Kelly and Bradstone have formed an action committee to protest against a decision by West Devon planners to allow two wind turbines which they say will overlook their villages.

The group MABRAKE claims the manner in which the application was processed was 'unsatisfactory and undemocratic' — but West Devon Borough Council told the Times this week that it had adhered to the correct planning procedures.

Planning consent was granted in September to erect two 65ft turbines at Tredown Farm, Milton Abbot following a site meeting. MABRAKE group members said planners did not visit Holland Farm, which they felt would be dominated by the turbines, or Milton Abbot.

'The turbines will clearly intrude upon the village of Milton Abbot, a listed conservation area,' they said.

MABRAKE said parish meetings were held only three days before the consultation ended, which meant only a few villagers were able to comment before the deadline: 'We object to the manner in which the application was quietly processed through its public consultation,' added the group.

It is calling for a complete review of the application, claiming it was pushed through without proper consultation to meet government targets.

A spokeswoman for West Devon Borough Council said the proposal went out for public consultation nine weeks before it was determined by the planning committee, and letters were sent out to the five neighbouring properties and appropriate notices put up.

'I understand that there were five letters of support and four letters of objection,' she said.

'Milton Abbot Parish Council neither objected or supported the application, Bradstone did not object and Dunterton Parish Council did not object.'

She added that wind turbine applications of this size did not have to be advertised in the press but it was listed in the planning applications in the Times news pages on July 17.