An appeal by West Coast Energy Ltd against Argyll and Bute Council's refusal of the plans was dismissed after ministers agreed with the conclusion of reporter William Patterson that the project did not meet established guidelines set out by environme
ntal legislation.
News of the decision, which was announced on Thursday, has delighted those who have opposed the construction of the wind farm, and who voiced their concerns about the plans during a public inquiry in Dunoon back in January.
"This is good news," said Tony Harrison, who owns Balmory Hall B&B in Ascog and appeared as a key witness against the plans at the inquiry.
"To be honest, I wasn't very hopeful, especially with the way the politicians had been heading these last few months with wind energy.
"It's very important for the economy in Bute not to have a wind farm - in particular one which relies on its beautiful landscape."
Mr Patterson, the inquiry reporter, wrote in his conclusion that some of the council's arguments against the project had been "much more persuasive" than those of the developer, West Coast Energy.
"Although the findings have not endorsed objections concerned with visual impacts on viewpoints and routes to the north of the Firth of Clyde," Mr Patterson wrote, "elsewhere the less favourable assessments from the planning authority, Scottish Natural Heritage and in some instances the marketing groups have overall been much more persuasive that those for the appellants."
Mr Patterson also concluded that there remains a realistic likelihood that placing a wind farm on a visible ridgeline such as Corlarach could deter potential tourists and affect the economies of Cowal, Bute and also, to some extent, Great Cumbrae.
"The strong support for renewable energy developments from UK and Scottish governments, together with the obvious vulnerability to the effects of global warming of settlements and environmentally important areas around the Firth of Clyde, demand the most earnest attention," he continued.
"Even if no weight is given to the reasoning that approving as visually unacceptable a proposal as Corlarach Hill would tend to undermine public support for onshore wind power developments, the adverse impacts would be too great to be overcome."
He concluded his report by stating the wind farm project should not be granted planning permission, whether it be for 14 turbines or limited to ten.
Sam Crosby, from West Coast Energy, expressed her disappointment at the ministers' decision.
"We didn't know what the decision would be," she said, "we were just keeping an open mind.
"We had no particular expectation and it is a disappointment for us."
Asked if the company would consider applying for permission for any other projects in the area if the opportunity arose, Ms Crosby said: "Each site is considered on it own merits - I wouldn't have thought this would deter us from taking on another one."
Another key witness at the inquiry, Philip Norris from the Dunoon and Cowal Marketing Group, said that the project's rejection corresponded to recent government guidelines.
"I am obviously delighted, and I think all the people in Bute and Cowal will be very relieved," Mr Norris told The Buteman
"The right place for a large wind farm is where the landscape is featureless - not here, where the landscape quality is important for tourism.
"Common sense has prevailed."
An inquiry report into a similar appeal for a 16-turbine installation on Black Craig, directly north of Corlarach, by Argyll Windfarms Ltd is still being compiled.
Tony Harrison was also a witness at the inquiry into the Black Craig project, which he believes would be an even greater visual deterrent than Corlarach.
"We need to just wait and see," he said. "You just don't know what way it will fall.
"We've more to lose with Black Craig - but I am cautiously hopeful."
