MORE than 50 people crowded into a village hall to hear arguments for and against the building of four giant wind turbines in Purbeck.

A public inquiry into the energy project opened at Furzebrook near Wareham into plans for the Alaska Wind Farm. It is expected to last 12 days.

Purbeck District Council’s planning board decided it was “minded to approve” the Purbeck Windfarm LLP application in November 2011, subject to conditions. Four months later, planners threw out the scheme for Masters Quarry in Puddletown Road, East Stoke, amid concerns over noise and effect on people.

Peter Wadsley, counsel for Purbeck District Council, told the inquiry the turbines would be large, in an elevated position, and would have an adverse effect on local residents and people staying at Buddens Farm Scout and Activity Centre.

David Cocks QC, representing the Dorset Against Rural Turbines group, said the site would be visible from as far away as Poole. The turbines would be nearly as tall as the highest hills in Purbeck.

He said there were 114 properties within a 2.5 kilometre radius, and in 57 of those, people were likely to suffer sleep disturbance.

Patrick Robinson, lawyer for the appellant, told the inquiry there was a high level of support for the scheme, which would help the UK achieve its targets of increasing renewable energy and reducing carbon dioxide emissions.