On Thursday night Charnwood Council's planning committee rejected plans submitted by ScottishPower Renewables to install a temporary 230-feet high wind monitoring mast on land off Ridgemere Lane in Queniborough.

Planning officers had recommended to approve the plans subject to conditions but the committee voted against the proposal.

Villagers had sent in 350 letters objecting to the test mast - which would have been installed temporarily for three years to collect wind speed and data to assess the viability of building a wind farm at the site.

And residents also turned out in force at Thursday night's meeting.

They had lodged a whole raft of objections to the application including the detrimental impact on the village and that the mast would be an eyesore and be visible for miles around.

ScottishPower Renewables wants to build up to five 410-feet high turbines on land between South Croxton Road and Ridgemere Lane, providing energy for about 4,650 homes.

Residents united against the windfarm proposals have formed an action group called Sprout (ScottishPower Renewables Out) which has planned out a structured long-term campaign against the windfarm proposals.

A public meeting is set to be held by the group in the village at 8pm on Wednesday night to consult with villagers.

Sprout member Pam Jones, of Queniborough, said: "We're pleased with the outcome of Thursday night's meeting but it might not stop ScottishPower Renewables appealing or coming forward with another proposal.

"We still want to rally the village together and look at how we can move forward. We have to stay ahead of ourselves. The first round has been won but now we have to prepare for the next round."