After a two-year battle Damian Culshaw successfully appealed Chorley Council's decision to refuse his application for the wind farms in Mawdesley Moss.

The decision comes as a huge blow to local campaign group Mawdesley Against Wind Farms (MAWF).

MAWF's chairman Barry Bibby said: "This is very depressing. The appeal judgment has ignored concerns about roads and problems about proximity to houses.

"The decision is an absolute disgrace, horrendous. Residents have gone to a lot of effort and expense.

"The Moss is one of the most tranquil places in Lancashire - not any more. This also opens the spectre of other turbines on the Moss.

"There's nothing we can do and that's depressing, local people feel they have no say in these matters."

In his ruling, the planning inspector Alan Robinson addressed the four reasons for refusal, as outlined by Chorley Council planning officers, which were inappropriate development in greenbelt land, the effect on rural landscape, the impact on wildlife and effect on residential amenity.

He ruled that the wind turbines would 'not adversely' affect the landscape, wildlife or residential amenity, but did admit that the plans would be 'inappropriate development' of greenbelt land, albeit the 'loss of openness' on Mawdesley Moss would be 'very modest'.

Ruling in favour of Mr Culshaw, the inspector said: "Such is the nature of the problem that tackling climate change must be a key priority for the planning system.

"This does not mean that all other planning considerations are to be swept aside, but it does mean that in weighing climate change against other considerations, tackling climate change is to be accorded substantial weight."

He added that the contribution to meeting regional renewable energy targets made a 'compelling argument in support of the proposed development', saying: "In my view, the proposed turbines at Cliffs Farm would make a modest, but valuable contribution."

Other conditions of the decision include underground cabling and an on-site archaeological dig before work starts.

The plans to build the wind farm at Cliffs Farm stirred up unprecedented feeling the surrounding Chorley villages of Mawdesley, Eccleston and Croston.

When the original application was submitted in October 2006 a public display of the plans at Mawdesley Village Hall was barracked by members of the public.

At the time Mr Culshaw said he'd received some 'very personal and unpleasant' abuse.

The farm where the wind turbines will be situated is owned by his father, former Mayor of Chorley Frank Culshaw.