Keith Turner, of Sherford, Kingsbridge, writes: The highly controversial application for an industrial-size wind turbine at Winslade Farm , Frogmore, has been resubmitted. It is therefore timely to review what happened as a result of the first application. The planning officer and the landscape officer both gave strong reasons for refusal of the application at Winslade Farm, which is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The AONB also recommended refusal. The case officer's report stated that 'the proposed wind turbine does not accord with the development plan, local and national guidance and recent ministerial statements'. Five councillors on South Hams Council's development management committee completely disregarded the advice of their professional advisers, but did not give their reasons for supporting the application. This was in stark contrast to the three councillors who were opposed to the application. A judicial review subsequently quashed the first application on the grounds that the planning permission was unlawful for the following reasons: l economic benefit to the applicant is not a planning consideration; l English Heritage was not consulted regarding listed buildings and conservation areas; l inadequate consideration was given to tonal noise from the turbine; and l the decision gave no regard to the precedent effect and was irrational. The development management committee was comple-tely wrong to approve this application in the first place, and given all the above facts has no possible justification for approval this time. But, given such a strong case for the application to be refused in the first place, it begs a number of serious questions. How did the development management committee get it so wrong? How much do flawed, unlawful decisions cost the rate-payer? And does it truly act impartially? Several recent letters have raised similar questions and highlighted the lack of accountability and transparency regarding the way the development management committee operates. It's time for some straight answers.