PLANNING chiefs have granted permission for four towering wind turbines to be built in Purbeck.

Members of Purbeck District Council’s planning board made their landmark decision, which will be subject to appropriate conditions, at the climax of a public meeting attended by 400 people.

Forty speakers, individuals and representatives of a range of organisations, made impassioned pleas, both for and against, to the planning board before members debated the decision.

Charles Sandham, boss of Infinergy – the company behind the £14m wind farm bid – was among those addressing the board at Wareham’s Purbeck School on Tuesday night.

With midnight approaching, the proposal was passed six votes to three, with one abstention.

However, members only agreed to green light the application – which could save 10,400 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually – subject to conditions, likely to relate to night noise restrictions for the turbines.

Planning board chairman Cllr Peter Wharf explained: “Council officers will now work with experts to draw up a range of conditions which must be met to minimise any adverse effects on the neighbouring area.

“We hope that the conditions can be finalised and brought back to the planning board in the next couple of months.”

Mark Wood, the planning officer presenting on behalf of the council, had recommended refusing permission for the 125m-turbines on environmental grounds, particularly as Buddens Scout Campsite is sited 240m from the turbines.

He said: “The noise would be significantly audible on the campsite, particularly during certain conditions at night.”

But many of the planning board felt it was important for Purbeck to do its bit to support renewable energy, part of a wider bid to combat global warming.

Mr Sandham said: “The people of Purbeck have spoken and the councillors have listened. The majority support these plans. We are grateful that supporters took the effort to come along to the meeting and tell the councillors that Purbeck should take its responsibility, on their behalf and that of their children and grandchildren.”

Infinergy say the wind farm will contribute 9.2MW towards Dorset’s target for renewable energy, which is 64-84MW.