Windfarm Wars

In this episode, passionate developer Rachel Ruffle puts forward plans for the Den Brook Windfarm. Its nine 120-metre-high turbines will transform the landscape in a shallow valley that lies four-and-a-half miles from Dartmoor National Park. One of her allies is farmer Martin Tucker, who stands to gain hugely if the development goes ahead. Set against them are the local action group, including Martin Tucker's cousin, which mobilises to fight the proposals, claiming the turbines are visually intrusive and ineffective. And there is Mike Hulme, an increasingly disillusioned local resident who starts off on good terms with Rachel, but whose conscience is torn between the need for action on climate change, and his fears that turbine noise could blight the countryside's peace and tranquillity. Before the local authority West Devon Borough Council votes on its decision, there are acts of vandalism, angry scenes and tears of frustration and disappointment.

Following the local authority's decision to turn down planning permission for the Den Brook Windfarm, the developer Rachel Ruffle now leads the appeal against the decision. A dramatic Public Inquiry is held and the local action group take on a barrister to fight their case. One man, local resident Mike Hulme, is increasingly disillusioned in his attempts to get the noise data he says Rachel's company RES promised him. He decides to go it alone at the inquiry in his attempt to plead for the planning inspector to protect him and his neighbours from noise he believes will come from the nine 120-metre high turbines. When the inspector makes his decision there are scenes of huge joy and severe disappointment.

After securing a victory at the Den Brook public inquiry, Devon windfarm developer Rachel Ruffle faces a challenge in the High Court from local resident Mike Hulme.

Following their victory in the High Court, and with the windfarm's eventual construction now apparently in sight, RES decide they should heed the judge's words and hand over the raw noise data that local resident Mike Hulme says they always promised him. Project Manager Rachel Ruffle drives to Devon to do this, but a shock is in store. The dramatic events of the next few months lead to yet another public inquiry into the Den Brook Windfarm and as the battle draws to a close, all parties are still locked in argument. Eventually a decision is made, but as ever in this epic story nothing is as straightforward as it seems.