PLANS for a 79-metre wind turbine near Beaworthy have been rejected by planners.

The planning officer at West Devon Borough Council originally recommended granting the application for the turbine in the Lew Valley, but councillors on the planning and licensing committee last week turned down the application. It was brought before the committee by Lew Valley ward member Cllr James McInnes, who felt the turbine would 'be over dominant in the landscape'.

Beaworthy Parish Council had objected to the plans on the grounds of the visual impact, noise, and effects on the Pegasus Way, a neighbouring bridlepath used by horse riders.

Among other objectors were Halwill Parish Council, Bradford and Cookbuey Parish Council and Bratton Clovelly Parish Council, who all objected on similar grounds. Geoffrey Cox QC, MP for Torridge and West Devon, also submitted comments of objection to the borough.

Penny Mills, from the Torridge branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, said: 'Local people are relieved and very grateful at the decision of the committee.

'The committee truly understood the impact this huge turbine would have and understood the concerns of the local people.

'The CPRE had objected to this application, because sited high on the ridge line, the impact on the landscape would have been huge over an enormous area and be seen for miles.  It was far too large and also sited too near the public highway and neighbouring dwellings.'