THE farming couple whose controversial plan to site two 50-metre high wind turbines on land near Lamerton this week vowed to fight on, despite rejection by borough planners.

Carol Bradford said she and husband Robert were feeling ?very positive and encouraged? despite the planning committee?s refusal of their application to site the turbines on their land at Beech Farm, at Heathfield on the Tavistock to Chillaton road.

?This is the first hurdle, it is a long process, but it is something we do believe in,? Carol said.

The proposal was for two turbines measuring 50 metres from the ground to the hub ? a total height of 81 metres with the blades in operation.

Councillors on Monday turned down the application saying it would cause a significant visual intrusion on Dartmoor National Park, and the Tamar Valley area of outstanding natural beauty, which the farm was sited between.

Visual impact upon the Grade-1 listed Brentor Church, which is one and a half miles north-east of the proposed site, was another reason for refusal.

It was also felt that noise generated from the turbines would adversely effect nearby residents.

Opponents of the plan produced a 12-point critique of the environmental assessment submitted by the applicants.

Environmental consultant Geoffrey Sinclair said the proposal was more like a mini power station, as an 81-metre turbine would be bigger than on any wind farm in England and Wales.

He said such a large turbine would have a significant visual effect viewed at a distance of 6km, and a moderate effect at 14km.

Objectors argued that the sustainable energy benefits of the scheme did not outweigh the adverse impact the turbines would have on the countryside and nearby dwellings.

Mrs Bradford said the Government?s recent Energy White Paper had emphasised the importance of increasing the use of renewable energy sources. The Government has set a target of increasing the share of electricity from renewable sources to ten per cent by the year 2010.

Mrs Bradford said although she felt encouraged by the open and fair debate at the meeting, she was disappointed councillors did not decide to see the site for themselves.

Cllr Robin Pike, ward member for Tamarside, said he was all for protecting the ?fragile earth? but felt more research on wind turbines was needed before a decision on permitting them in such a sensitive area was taken.

?However well-intentioned this wind turbine scheme is, the issue is the visual impact it would have on the site between Dartmoor National Park and the area of outstanding natural beauty,? he said.

Cllr Christine Grills said: ?I am not against renewable energy, but I feel this is definitely not the right place for it. You have got Brentor Church in close proximity.?

Speaking in favour of the proposal, Rhoda Cansick from Tavistock, said although there were now several wind farms in Cornwall, there were none in Devon: ?It would be pleasant to think Devon is forward-thinking, but it doesn?t seem to be that way,? she said.

Cllr Sonia Lindsay, also spoke in favour of the proposal: ?I just feel the adverse visual impact is vastly overstated.?

Lamerton Parish Council, Dartmoor National Park Authority and Dartmoor Preservation Association all objected to the plan and more than 100 letters of objection were also received.

Friends of the Earth, WestDEN and the NFU all expressed support for the scheme. Eighty letters of support plus a 33-signatory petition were also received by the committee.

The environmental impact assessment commissioned by the applicants estimated the turbines could supply between 1,400 and 1,600 homes with renewable power.

But planning officers noted that the average wind speed in this part of West Devon was relatively low, and said objectors had challenged the forecasted efficiency level of the turbines.

Mrs Bradford said they would appeal against the decision.