CAMPAIGNERS are claiming victory after a controversial wind turbine application was rejected.

Of 31 Vale Royal councillors able to vote, 22 voted against plans to build four 410ft wind turbines in the Weaver Valley, near Frodsham.

The council chamber at Wyvern House was packed with opponents to the scheme, representing parish and town councils and residents' groups from the area.

The wind farm was thrown out on the grounds that it:

* Was an inappropriate development in a Green Belt area;

* Would be a noisy eyesore in an area of natural beauty; and

*Could put Weaver Valley Regional Park and jobs in jeopardy.

'The voice of the people was listened to rather than policy and politics,' said town and borough councillor Lynn Riley.

Cllr Riley spoke against the application at the meeting and was not allowed to vote.

She said: 'In the end, the developers didn't put a strong enough case forward. There were far more cons against pros, it didn't have any benefits for anyone locally.'

Mike Cooksley, chairman of Weaver Valley Regional Park Management Board, added: 'Not only is this a victory for democracy but a victory for common sense.'

The developers now have the option of demanding a public inquiry.