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The Little Cheyne Court wind farm on Romney Marsh has been given the go-ahead to proceed reports the Energy Business Review Online website.

RWE npower renewables,  which is the green arm of UK utility RWE npower, are now able to move forward after the court of appeal refused an objector's right to challenge the UK secretary of state for trade and industry's decision to give planning permission for the scheme.

The high court judge dismissed an appeal over a previous decision not to allow judicial review proceedings in respect of the planning permission for Little Cheyne Court wind farm. The 26 turbine project was given government approval in October 2005.

The court's decision follows an extensive public inquiry, which finished in January 2005, in which the UK planning inspector recommended that npower renewables's proposal be given the go ahead. The secretary of state for trade and industry concurred.

Simon Holt, development manager for npower renewables, said: "There is an urgent need to tackle climate change. This is the largest wind farm in the south of England and as such is very important in order to make a contribution to the UK's 2010 renewable energy targets."

Mr Holt continued: "Once constructed the wind farm could produce enough pollution-free electricity to meet the average annual needs of some 30,000 homes, which is about 75% of the homes in the Shepway District Council area."

"In addition, the project would offset the annual release of some 130,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas contributing to global warming," Mr Holt concluded.