An anti-wind farm campaign against turbines in Bronte country has been boosted by a landmark High Court ruling in favour of preserving a unique landscape.

A High Court judge has ruled villagers’ rights to enjoy their surrounding landscape were more important than the Government’s renewable energy targets.

Mrs Justice Lang said building four 350ft turbines would harm the character and appearance of a beauty spot on the edge of the Norfolk Broads – a ruling which experts say would bolster other villagers fighting wind farm projects.

The decision has been welcomed by the Thornton Moor Wind Farm Action Group, which is locked in a battle with developers Banks Renewables over plans for up to four turbines – enough to power 4,400 homes.

The group has had backing from The Bronte Society, which claims turbines may spoil the “unique countryside” which is believed to have inspired the Bronte sisters’ world-famous novels.

Anthea Orchard, action group chairman, said: “This ruling has filled us with hope in Denholme, as for one, we share similar concerns with the Norfolk campaign and secondly, this is the first time we have ever seen the views of local people put first ahead of the Government’s green agenda.”

In what has been seen as a landmark ruling in the High Court, the judge said lower carbon emissions did not take “primacy” over the concerns of the people of Hemsby, a village on the edge of the Norfolk Broads.

Mrs Orchard, of Denholme Gate, said the action group hoped Bradford Council would take the decision into account when deciding Banks Renewables’ planning application for Thornton Moor, expected later this year.