PLANS for a 79 metre wind turbine near Beaworthy have been granted on appeal after they were originally rejected by planners last year.

The planning officer at West Devon Borough Council originally recommended granting the application for the turbine at Hole Farm in the Lew Valley, but councillors on the planning and licensing committee turned down the application in April 2013. It was brought before the committee by Lew Valley ward member Cllr James McInnes.

The application has now been granted on appeal. In the appeal decision document, the inspector stated 'the turbine would be a well designed aero dynamic structure of relatively slender shape and would have relatively little physical impact on the surrounding countryside, allowing farming of the land to continue and views of the countryside to remain in front of and beyond the turbine. The essential existing rural character of the countryside would be retained'.

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 Cookbury 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 West Devon Borough Council.

Penny Mills, from the Torridge branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, said: 'Nothing changes — all the words from the politicians count for nothing.  The local community did not want this turbine, yet just like the Dunsland Cross wind farm, the inspector has allowed it. It's a very sad day for democracy in this country.'