A BID to increase the height of the proposed new wind turbines destined for Crimp near Morwenstow has failed.

The planning inspector rejected local opposition and granted West Coast Energy, on appeal, permission to build three turbines.

These were to be a maximum tower height of 50m with blades of 31m. He also laid down specific rating levels for noise.

West Coast Energy then applied to the local authority seeking modifications to the previous condition to get permission to make the towers either 60m or 56m high.

The company said this was due to the fact that since the original plans had been formulated in 2004 turbine technology had changed and it would have given greater flexibility and choice.

However, the Planning Inspectorate has said the application was a fundamental alteration of the original planning application and as such was invalid.