Wind farm opponents lose battle to stop test mast in Leicestershire

Campaigners have lost the latest stage of their battle against proposals to build a wind farm in the heart of the Leicestershire countryside.

A Government inspector has overturned Charnwood Borough Council's refusal of planning permission for a test mast in Queniborough.

Villagers are trying to stop energy firm Scottish Power Renewables putting four large turbines on land by Ridgemere Lane, on the edge of the village.

The inspector's decision means the firm can put up a 230ft-tall, 6.5in-wide mast on the site to find out if it is windy enough to justify the project.

Councillors had agreed with members of Scottish Power Renewable Out (Sprout) group that the structure would ruin the appearance of an attractive rural area and rejected the application.

However, inspector Jeremy Eagles said: "Although tall, it would be a relatively lightweight structure whose visual impact would be limited, while its colour would generally reflect that of a typical British sky.

"The proposal would not be an unduly obtrusive feature within the landscape, particularly from a distance, because its slender form would be difficult to see."

The mast is likely to go up within four weeks, but Mr Eagles ordered it should be dismantled within three years.

He said his ruling was on the mast alone and was no reflection on any future wind turbine applications at the site.

Sprout spokesman and Queniborough villager Mike Jones said: "We are disappointed with the inspector's decision.

"We thought we had seen this off when we persuaded the council to turn down the mast. Without a mast, there would be no wind farm.

"We could challenge this decision in the High Court but that would be very expensive.

"We may choose to save ourselves for the fight against the imminent wind farm application.

"Any structure such as this will ruin the appearance of an unspoilt and beautiful area.

"In many ways, we are looking forward to the fight. It has united the village.

"We have learned a lot over the past seven months about the planning system and running a campaign. We will put that experience to good use."

Fellow campaigner John Tinning said: "We are not against the idea of generating power from wind but this is not the right place.

"We feel Queniborough is a special place and the council agrees with us.

"The inspector is obviously independent but there seems to be a lot of pressure from the Government to create wind turbines."

A spokesman for Scottish Power Renewables said: "We are pleased with the decision of the appeal and are aiming to erect the mast within the next month.

"The project team is working towards finalising and submitting the wind farm planning application in the next six to eight weeks."