Fears that the scheme would affect the landscape's character and there would be too many masts in the area prompted members of the development control committee to reject the scheme.

Winscales Moor Windfarm Ltd has applied to Allerdale council to erect the wind farm at Benedict Plantation. Allerdale will take the county's comments into account before making a final decision.

A report to Monday's committee meeting said that the land was suitable for up to nine turbines but there are already 11 turbines next to the proposed site.

A county spokesman said: "We have made our objection to the wind farm and Allerdale are not compelled to agree with us."

But West Cumbria Friends of the Earth campaigner Jill Perry said the county council must decide where it will allow turbines to be developed.

"The targets for renewable energy aren't going to go away. In fact, all the evidence shows that we need stronger renewable energy targets to combat the worsening climate change situation.

"The county council cannot go on just issuing blanket objections. They must start to act on environmental issues."

* The county council also formally objected to the erection of four, 121-metre tall wind turbines at Parkhead Farm, Silloth.