On Thursday night Charnwood Council's planning committee refused plans submitted by ScottishPower Renewables to install the test mast on land off Ridgemere Lane.

Planning officers had recommended the application be approved 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.

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

ScottishPower Renewables - which wants to build up to five 410ft high turbines on land between South Croxton Road and Ridgemere Lane - is appealing the committee's decision.

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.

It is due to hold a public meeting in the village hall on Wednesday.

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."

A ScottishPower Renewables spokesman said: "We're disappointed with the outcome of the planning committee meeting and its decision not to accept the recommendation of the planning officer to approve the application.

"Other survey work on the site will continue while we ready our appeal of the committee's decision."