THE recent decision to approve the development of nine 125-metre high wind turbines in the Den Brook Valley between Spreyton and North Tawton is to be challenged at the High Court in London — for a second time.

Mike Hulme, noise expert for the Den Brook Judicial Review Group (DBJRG) is challenging the decision on a number of grounds, including a claim that the noise condition imposed is defective.

The decision to build the wind farm was given by a government planning inspector, following a second public inquiry into the scheme last November.

Mr Hulme said: 'Our assessment of the decision leaves neighbours surrounding the wind farm proposal vulnerable to sleep disturbance from potentially health damaging noise pollution, created by industrial scale turbines.

'We would like firm assurances from the developer and a robust planning condition to provide protection for us all.'

Specialist acoustic advisors working on behalf of Mr Hulme and the DBJRG have carried out a comprehensive analysis of the developer's five years' worth of wind speed data.

Mr Hulme claimed the results showed a high probability for excessive noise disturbing neighbours for anything up to 50% of the time the turbines are likely to operate.

Mr Hulme said it was essential to ensure that adequate remedial procedures were in place and legally enforceable.

He said: 'Our extensive research leads us to foresee that there will be noise nuisance problems arising from the development, despite RES' claims to the contrary.

'Not to adequately protect families neighbouring the wind farm from potential health damaging noise pollution seems to me not only wholly unreasonable but totally unacceptable.

'Sadly, we know of many people and families throughout the UK already badly affected and finding there is little or no recourse other than to suffer or attempt to move away, often at great personal loss.

'More and more huge, modern-day wind turbines are being built without there being due consideration given for the well being of neighbours.

'It's quite reprehensible that long-awaited developments for renewable energy, are being tainted by practices rushing to meet arbitrary targets and putting profits before people.'

Helen Hall, project and group environmental manager for RES and the Den Brook Wind Farm, said: 'We are disappointed that Mr Hulme is challenging  the planning consent yet again.  

'The evidence that he put forward was dismissed by the inquiry. 

'The wind farm has been through exceptionally rigourous planning scrutiny for the past five years, during which no stone was left unturned. 

'It seems that Mr Hulme does not agree with any of the independent planning inspector's conclusions and this further challenge will serve only to introduce more costs, delay and uncertainty for everyone.'

Helen Hall said RES had given assurances the wind farm will not cause a noise nuisance and that the planning process provided adequate safeguards.

She said: 'We are absolutely confident that we have designed a low-impact project that will have minimal impact on local people and the environment.

'The planning inspector agreed, concluding that, on balance, it should be allowed to go ahead. 

'There is no evidence either that wind farms across the UK are causing health problems.

'On the contrary, wind farms are popular with the public and with the communities in which they operate because of their clear environmental and economic benefits.

'Den Brook will generate clean, green and reliable electricity for 25 years and support the local economy. 

'The need for renewable energy is ever more pressing because of climate change and declining oil and gas — now is the time to get on and start producing it.'