The appeal looking at the proposal to install four 100m turbines came to a close on Friday after eight days and planning inspector Robin Brooks will now decide whether the application will go ahead.

The inquiry was being held after Carsington Wind Energy appealed against Derbyshire Dales District Council's decision last year to refuse the plans.

During the meeting Janice Southway, from Protect Carsington and Hopton Action Group, said the group had collected 1,481 signatures, 770 letters and 56 emails against the proposals during a seven-week campaign.

She said the wind farm would have a harmful impact on tourism, heritage, noise, wildlife and the landscape. Ms Southway also criticised West Coast Energy's consultation process.

Anthony Crean QC, for Derbyshire Dales District Council, led a scathing attack on Carsington Wind Energy's plans.

He described the material the company had presented to the public as "wrong, inadequate and misleading."

Mr Crean also claimed West Coast Energy's environmental statement was "largely flawed", "invalid in law", and "massively exaggerates benefits". He said this alone was grounds for the inspector to refuse the appeal.

Mr Crean added: "The application fails on the central balance of benefit against harm. The benefit is trivial. The harm is massive."

But Jeremy Pike QC, for Carsington Wind Energy, said the district council's argument was based on the principle that if something could be seen, it was automatically harmful.

He said: "If this proposal is turned down on those views, no wind farm application can ever be deemed as being acceptable."

No date was set for the release of the planning inspector's final decision which will be made as part of an official report.