THE rolling landscape of the Den Brook Valley is capable of co-existing with a wind farm, the public inquiry into a scheme to build nine wind turbines there heard on Tuesday. Rebecca Rylott. a landscape architect with experience of around 40 wind energy projects, told the inquiry in Okehampton: 'The landscape character and scenic qualities in this area are capable of co-existing with a wind farm. 'The wind farm proposal is of an appropriate scale and will offer the opportunity for an exciting architectural and sculptural landmark within the environment.' The inquiry, which began last Wednesday, follows the decision by Renewable Energy Systems (RES UK Ltd) to appeal against West Devon Borough Council's refusal of planning permission to establish nine turbines on land between North Tawton and Bow. RES says the project would contribute to addressing climate change and generate electricity equivalent to the annual needs of around 10,000 homes. But opponents of the proposed scheme argued it would have a detrimental impact on the landscape. Speaking earlier in the inquiry, Jonathan Cardale, chief executive of Dartmoor Preservation Association, said the turbines would be a 'colossal intrusion' into the moor and surrounding countryside. He said: 'The modest and intermittent benefits of these wind turbines would not in any way outweigh the damage caused by their intrusion into this very special landscape.' He said the turbines proposed for Den Brook were only two metres short of the height of Salisbury Cathedral, the highest spire in the country. Mr Cardale said: 'This proposal represents a test case of the value attributed to Dartmoor National Park. 'While precedent may not normally be considered a material planning consideration, in practice, once one wind farm is allowed in the countryside surrounding the Park, the DPA believes that other applications will be inevitable. 'Before long, there would be a steady proliferation of even larger turbines in the countryside around Dartmoor.' On the first day of the inquiry in the Charter Hall, inspector David Lavender said among the key issues he would be considering would be the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area, the impact on the living conditions of local residents, the visual impact and the impact on the local historical and architectural environment. A third party session to give the public the chance to air views they felt had not so far been addressed by the inquiry was held last night (Wednesday) between 5pm and 8pm.