ENERGY bosses have conceded defeat in their bid to extend Cliviger wind farm -- and blasted plans to hold a public inquiry into the issue as "bureaucracy gone mad".

Site owners Renewable Energy Systems lodged an appeal after Burnley councillors threw out their bid to add three larger turbines to the existing 24-turbine farm at Long Causeway, following public protests that the site was a blot on the landscape.

But they said they were surprised and disappointed when the Government's Planning Inspectorate ordered a costly public inquiry into the issue -- set to take place in Burnley town hall later this month.

Now they have withdrawn the appeal and say they have no plans for further developments on the site.

Spokesman Anna Stanford said both the company and the council expected the appeal to be decided after written submissions by both sides.

"We did not anticipate the Planning Inspectorate would decide it would have to go to a full public inquiry.

"For a project involving just three extra turbines on a well-established site to have to go to a long and costly public inquiry is bureaucracy gone mad."

She added: "We have withdrawn purely on economic grounds.

"We are disappointed we cannot go-ahead with this and it means a blow to the job prospects of the people who make the turbines."

But today the company's withdrawal was welcomed by protesters who tilted at windmills and opposed it.

Former councillor Tony Harrison said residents and other organisations had made it clear they did not want their landscape spoiling.

Councillor Harry Brooks, a member of the development control committee which blocked he application last year said: "I am glad the company has withdrawn.

"I don't like the wind farm, it's a monstrosity, and I don't want any more turbines."

At Burnley council, eleven letters of objection were received on the grounds that the turbines would be detrimental to landscape, environment and wildlife.