PROTESTERS are celebrating after a plan for a giant windfarm on the Pennine moors was rejected.

Oldham councillors voted to refuse planning permission for seven giant turbines on the Castleshaw/Denshaw Moor after a three-year battle.

They voted 10-3 to throw out the application.

The plan to build the 365ft wind turbines at Denshaw had raised protests from Margaret Thatcher's former Press secretary, Bernard Ingham, and green campaigner David Bellamy.

During the long fight against the plans opponents said the turbines would destroy the landscape and make too much noise.

Alan Roughley, chairman of the Saddleworth Moors Action Group, said: "Local councillors had clearly taken the application seriously and demonstrated their concern for the local environment.

"This is a highly valued part of the Green Belt and we are determined to fight off every attempt to wreck it.

"The planning officials did an excellent job in preparing all the evidence for the meeting."

The planning application was submitted on behalf of Eon-Powergen.

The company had asked for the decision to be deferred.

The company now has the right to appeal and could ask for a public inquiry.