VICTORY parties thrown to celebrate the death of a Brent Knoll wind farm bid have proved premature - as the firm behind the designs this week appealed to have the scheme resurrected.

The renewable energy firm behind the five turbine design this week made good its promise to challenge Sedgemoor District Council's initial planning refusal.

On Monday (December 11) the Weekly News learned from applicants Ecotricity it had finally submitted its appeal on the council's ruling, after the body originally threw out the scheme in August.

Spokesman Maddy Carroll told it would be impossible to estimate how long the appeal decision would take to be decided.

"The appeal has gone in and is registered on the system," she said.

"You can't predict how long it's going to take but it's all registered and received and out in the public domain."

A special meeting of Sedgemoor District Council's Development Control Committee blew away Ecotricity's £10million plans for Brent Knoll four months ago, citing reasons including adverse affect on the landscape.

But it now looks like many villagers may have to dig their protest banners out from the lofts as consideration is given as to whether the council made the right decision.

And the group dedicated to fighting the proposals, kNOll To Wind Farm, vowed to pick up where it left off after the original judgement.

"We are not surprised it has gone to appeal," spokesman Andrew Manning admitted.

"But we will be looking to work with the council to help it defend the appeal.

"We are going to be as proactive as we can be over this."

But in other quarters, news of the possibility of the wind farm actually being built was welcomed - no more so than by the group in favour of the plans, Families for Clean Energy.

"It think it should go to appeal if the company think they have a good case," spokesman Colette Winfield confirmed.

"I am still absolutely for the wind farm and I am very pleased that it has gone to appeal. We will continue to campaign for it."