Controversial plans for a wind farm in the South Hams have been rejected for a third time.

South Hams District Council's planning committee turned down new proposals to build three 100m-high turbines on farmland between the villages of Goveton and East Allington, near Kingsbridge.

Each of the turbines at the Beech Farm site would have generated up to five megawatts of power - enough for about 2,000 homes.

The wind farm project was rejected on the grounds of visual intrusion, the impact on local wildlife, noise levels and the potential impact on tourism and the local economy.

Cornwall Light and Power Company, the firm behind the plans, said it was extremely disappointed and would appeal against the council's decision.

Villagers from Goveton, Buckland Tout Saints, East Allington and Churchstow vigorously opposed the latest development, saying the turbines would be visible from communities across a wide area and as far as six miles out to sea.

They had already seen off two previous planning applications for the turbines on virtually the same site at Beech Farm.

Cornwall Light and Power Company's original application was rejected by councillors back in April 2007, while an application by Npower to also build three 100-metre-high turbines was put forward in late 2004 and then withdrawn.