A Government inspector says his decision to ban a domestic wind turbine in the Fens will protect the view of those who already look out at 24 industrial turbines at Coldham and Stag’s Holt.

Ron Boyd ruled that the proposed 19kw small scale wind turbine in Laddus Drove, Friday Bridge, would “result in the presence of renewable energy apparatus featuring across an arc of almost 180 degrees.

“This would be especially harmful to views from the rear of Forties Farm Cottage and Butterfly Barn.”

Mr Boyd backed the view of Fenland planners that the turbine application by James Lawrence for Laddus House would create a “cumulative impact” detrimental to some living in the area.

Those living at Forties Farm and Butterfly Barn, for example, he said have a view dominated by the wind farm turbines at Coldham. Their only turbine free view would be gone if the domestic turbine was allowed.

“The cumulative impact would thus be that of an encircling presence of turbines across the entire outlook from the rear of these homes,” said Mr Boyd. “I conclude that this would have an unacceptable impact, adversely affecting the living conditions of the occupants.”

Much as the Government favoured renewable energy, even small scale projects such as this, Mr Boyd said it would not outweigh the harm he had identified and the conflict with the development plan for the area.

He added: “It would be significantly larger than a typical telegraph pole and would be prominent within local views in this flat landscape.”

* Is your life blighted by wind turbines? Has Fenland done its bit for renewable energy? email john.elworthy@archant.co.uk