WORK to construct the Den Brook Valley wind farm will begin at the end of 2010, Renewable Energy Systems Ltd (RES) has announced.

Planning consent, at its second and final appeal, was granted for the nine-turbine wind farm in the Den Brook Valley between Bow, Spreyton and North Tawton, in December.

RES say they have now moved a step closer towards a deal which will allow local people to invest in the wind farm in return for a share in the profits.

RES is working with Energy4All, a not-for-profit organisation, with the aim of facilitating the ownership of shares in the wind farm for local residents.

Energy4All has already established seven successful wind farm co-operatives across the country, a model which, is says, provides an ideal way to satisfy the needs of those communities who want more direct involvement in the generation of renewable energy in their region.

John Malone, of Energy4All, said: "Local share ownership enables local people to have a say in the operation of the wind farm and to benefit financially from the sale of the electricity produced by the turbines.

"It is a model that is very popular in Scandinavia, for example and through our efforts, in seven communities across Britain.

"We are very excited by the prospect of working with local residents who are already keen to see the wind farm up and running."

Helen Hall, project manager for Den Brook Wind Farm, said: "We would be very interested to hear from people who would like to register their interest in the share scheme and would encourage them to visit our website at http://www.den-brook.co.uk">www.den-brook.co.uk to do so."

RES said this week that the wind farm will supply clean, "green" electricity equivalent to the needs of 8,000 homes on on average of two megawatts per turbine.

Prior to the appeal, RES said the Den Brook turbines will be able to produce enough power for 10,000 homes on an average output of eight to 10 megawatts.

RES plan to bring some of the components to build the turbines by railway and say it will bring improvements to the Dartmoor Railway, as well as generate an annual community fund of £27,000 per year.

The turbines will be three times the height of Exeter Cathedral and were approved last month by government inspector, Andrew Pykett, who decided that combating global warming was more important than local people's quality of life.

He said that the wind farm at Den Brook "would be a cause of some harm in terms of its visual effect on the landscape", but said the decision was also bound by legal guidance to "thrust in favour of the adoption and growth of renewable energy".

There has been a five-year battle by Renewable Energy Systems Ltd (RES) to build the controversial 120 metre high turbines.

While the inspector acknowledged the site "will not be visible from North Tawton" and "minimally from Spreyton", he did admit that it will be clearly visible from many properties in Bow, especially from houses in Hobbs Way, Nymet Avenue, Collatons Walk, Gregory Close, the village hall and playing field and from properties in the Nichols Nymet area.

Other areas the wind farm will be visible from include Cosdon Hill on Dartmoor, the churchyard at Zeal Monachorum and other higher viewpoints.

Mr Pykett acknowledged that a Roman road crosses the site of the wind farm.

He said that the lifespan of the turbines should be 25 years and they should be lit at night.

He imposed some noise conditions but also rejected a RES claim for costs resulting from the second public inquiry into the scheme, which was held earlier this year.

He also imposed "shadow flicker" conditions and raised no objection to a scheme to investigate and alleviate any electro-magnetic interference with radio or television reception.

West Devon Borough Council said, following the approval of the scheme: "We are disappointed that the planning inspectorate has decided to allow the appeal at Den Brook Valley.

"The Inspector felt that although there will be an impact on the rural environment in allowing this, the harm caused could be outweighed by the renewable energy benefits of the development."

The approval includes nine three-bladed horizontal axis wind turbines, electricity transformers, access tracks, crane hardstandings, control building, sub-station, temporary construction compound and met masts.

Devon has only one commercial wind turbine, but 22 are being built at Fullabrook Down near Barnstaple.

Alan Quick