THE Open Spaces Society, Britain's oldest national conservation body, has written to the Government Office for the South West, urging the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to call in the planning application for 20 wind-turbines at Davidstow Wood, near Camelford in Cornwall.

Cornwall Council's planning committee approved the turbines, against its officers' advice, last October. However, the Government Office for the South West has written to Cornwall Council directing that the council should not issue a consent until the government has considered the application.

The Open Spaces Society has joined many other objectors in asking for the matter to be called in by the Government Office so that it may be determined by an independent public inquiry.

Kate Ashbrook, the Open Spaces Society's general secretary said: "These enormous turbines would blight the Bodmin Moor Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and destroy people's enjoyment of this grand, tranquil landscape. They would be highly visible from the slopes and summits of Rough Tor and High Willy.

"We urge the government to call in this highly controversial application so that all opinions may be expressed and the evidence independently examined."