27 July 2012 Last updated at 13:38 ET

Asfordby wind farm plans rejected by Melton councillors

An application for nine wind turbines near a Leicestershire village has been turned down by Melton Borough Council.

Peel Energy wanted to build the turbines, which it said would have produced enough electricity to power 8,500 homes, near Asfordby.

The council rejected the project by a 6-4 vote even though its own planning officers had supported the proposal.

Residents who opposed the plan raised a blimp over the site in March to the proposed height of 125m (400ft).

A spokesman for Peel Energy said the site was a former mine and "a suitable location" for the wind farm.

"The site allows for sufficient distance between the turbines and residential properties, enabling us to satisfy stringent noise regulations," the spokesman added.

Emma Musson, who lives nearby, said: "Our concerns as residents are that it is too big and too close - some of the homes are as close as 600m (2,000ft) away from the turbines."