Front Generator Wind Turbine

A public inquiry into a council's refusal to allow a wind farm to be built at a former coal mine began yesterday.

Peel Energy wants to build a nine-turbine wind farm on the former Asfordby mine site, near Melton.

Melton Borough Council has set aside £80,000 for legal costs and expert witnesses for the appeal, which is set to last 12 days.

The authority rejected the application on the grounds it would result in substantial harm to the setting of the grade II*-listed St Bartholomew's Church and have a "harmful impact on the setting of a wide range of other heritage assets" in the area.