THE much vaunted promise of 'localism' proves to be a dead duck once again. A planning inspector from outside the Dean has overruled the district council, democratically elected local councillors, and the wishes of the vast majority of local people in allowing an appeal for the erection of a massive wind turbine close to Alvington.

I sincerely hope that the district council and our MP will be referring the case to the Local Government Secretary of State Eric Pickles MP, to ensure that this decision is reversed. A firm stand needs to be taken otherwise the organisation responsible and others will undoubtedly submit a mass of this type of application to the absolute detriment of our invaluable pano­ramic greenfield amenity.

The wider local community has no appetite for these types of developments either through forcibly having to pay 'green' levies (at least £8 in every £100, wwwscottishpower.co.uk) or seeing the landscape of our countryside unnecessarily industrialised.

By reneging on a promise made back in late 2010 and despite recent further efforts by Cllr Winship, the district council has created a rod for its own back by not creating a solid renewable energy policy and have subsequently, once again, potentially cost the local taxpayer.

One can only now hope in the name of democracy and commonsense that Mr Pickles' 'localism' is more than just the proverbial chocolate teapot!