West Northamptonshire Development Corporation's planning committee voted three to one to reject the application on Tuesday night, largely on the grounds it would not be safe to have a turbine so close to workers.

Tom McGarry, property communications manager, said he was puzzled and deeply disappointed by the decision.

He said: "ASDA has been working very closely with the local planning officers and the community to construct a proposal offering Northamptonshire the opportunity of creating an iconic statement of its commitment to combat the threats posed by climate change.

"The wind turbine would have produced enough energy to power the ASDA distribution depot as well as saving 5,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases a year."

But Tony Skirrow, chairman of Great Houghton Parish Council who had campaigned against the proposal said WNDC's decision showed common sense was alive and well.

He said: "The committee, in turning down the application, agreed with us that the Local Plan, the turbine's visual impact and the Government's planning safety guidelines could not be ignored.

"Our campaign is about bringing out all the facts surrounding this application rather than the emotion. It seems we chose the right path.

"We are obviously very pleased with the decision and hope that it will lead to a more local view of all planning decisions made through WNDC."

And MP Brian Binley (Northampton South, Con) said he was delighted that the 'voice of the people' had been heard.

He said: "More than 200 people were present at that meeting to show their disagreement with the planning officer's report, which recommended a massive turbine should be given permission to be put in what is, to all intents and purposes, an urban area.

"I was delighted that the members listened to the concerns of local people, including myself, and rejected the officers' recommendation."

As the official ratification of the decision is not due until September 2, ASDA has not yet confirmed if it would appeal against the decision.