Inquiry begins over turbine plans

The energy firm says the turbines would generate power for 5,500 homes

A public inquiry has begun into controversial plans to build four wind turbines near a Derbyshire reservoir.

Plans by West Coast Energy (WCE) to build the 330ft (100m) turbines on Carsington Pasture were turned down by Derbyshire Dales District Council.

The company has appealed against the decision and the inquiry is expected to last eight days.

WCE said the power generated from the project would be enough to provide energy for 5,500 homes.

'Too close'

The council refused the planning application on the grounds that the turbines would ruin an area of outstanding natural beauty.

A group of residents from Carsington and Hopton have said they fear that the turbines will be too close to homes.

Jan Southway of the Protect Carsington and Hopton Action Group said: "We are objecting to this proposed development because we simply think it is in the wrong place.

"The proposed site is very close to three conservation villages - about half the distance that the UK noise association guidelines recommend - and is only a couple of hundreds of metres from a public bridleway."

West Coast Energy spokesman Steve Salt said: "We have been searching for about five years for a suitable location - there is a good grid connection and a suitable location in landscape terms."