EVIDENCE presented at the second phase of the Den Brook Wind Farm Public Inquiry ended last Friday, following four days of intensive and often highly technical evidence.

This final episode of the Inquiry focused entirely on the likelihood of noise impacts for nearby residents from the latest generation of large scale industrial wind turbines that Renewable Energy Systems (RES) are proposing for the Mid-Devon site.

RES are seeking permission to construct nine 120 metres high wind turbines in the Den Brook valley situated between Bow, Spreyton and North Tawton.

Three of the wind industry's leading noise experts were present at the reconvened Inquiry, held at the Ockment Centre, Okehampton, intent on challenging the claims put forward by the Den Brook Judicial Review Group (DBJRG) that RES has not only "misled by not properly assessing all the aspects necessary for providing a robust analysis" but that "procedures adopted by RES fell far short of current planning policy guidance on noise".

Mike Hulme, who lives near North Tawton, has been spearheading the noise case for DBJRG for the past four years.

He told the Courier: "DBJRG's team presented a clear and unequivocal case demonstrating shortfall after shortfall within the evidence presented by RES.

"Using the developer's own data we provided incontrovertible evidence that this proposal is likely to create a significant noise nuisance at numerous nearby homes. Basically, RES' evidence is in tatters.

"The bottom line is that RES have not complied with the ETSU-R-97 noise assessment guidance, as written.

"And, for the first time in public, Dr Andrew Mckenzie, in giving evidence for RES, acknowledged the guidance to be "ambiguous and badly drafted". Furthermore, non-compliance breaches the Government's planning policy, PPS22."

Mr Hulme added: "Inappropriately sited and inadequately assessed developments, like the Den Brook proposal, damage the cause of renewable energy, ruin the harmony of small villages and leave a bad taste in the mouth of all involved.

"Nevertheless, I was immensely impressed and grateful for the unstinting effort of our experts and legal team whose professionalism and commitment was clearly demonstrated throughout the proceedings.

"It is now plain that the proponents of industrial scale onshore wind farms need to go back to the drawing board when it comes to assessing the impact of wind turbine noise pollution upon nearby neighbours."

Advocates for West Devon Borough Council, RES, The Council for the Protection of Rural England and the DBJRG presented closing statements on the final day of the Inquiry, Monday, October 26.

The lengthy closing submissions took more than six hours to present on Monday.

Mr Hulme told the Courier: "There remains considerable disagreement over most of the issues raised and it now remains for Inspector Andrew Pykett to weigh up the evidence before issuing his decision which is expected mid December."