PLANNING chiefs have granted permission for four towering wind turbines to be built in Purbeck.

Members of Purbeck District Council’s planning board made their landmark decision, which will be subject to appropriate conditions, at the climax of a public meeting attended by 400 people.

Forty speakers, individuals and representatives of a range of organisations, made impassioned pleas, both for and against, before members debated the decision.

Charles Sandham, boss of Infinergy – the company behind the £14m wind-farm bid – was among those addressing the board at Wareham’s Purbeck School on Tuesday night.

With midnight approaching, the proposal – which could save 10,400 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually – was passed six votes to three, with one abstention.

However, members only green lighted the application subject to conditions, likely to relate to night noise restrictions for the turbines.

Planning board chairman councillor Peter Wharf explained: "The council will now work with experts to draw up a range of conditions which must be met to minimise any adverse effects on the neighbouring area.

"We hope the conditions can be finalised and brought to the planning board in the next couple of months."

Mark Wood, the planning officer presenting on behalf of the council, recommended refusing permission for the 125m-turbines on environmental grounds, mainly due to the proximity of Buddens Scout Campsite.

Infinergy said the wind farm will contribute 9.2MW towards Dorset’s target for renewable energy, which is 64-84MW.