A barrister, a specialist landscape consultant and an expert planning witness will present Craven District Council’s case at a planning appeal against a wind farm.

The initial plan for five 100-metre-high turbines at Brightenber Hill, between West Marton and Gargrave, was rejected by the council’s planning committee in November.

The decision came despite a recommendation for approval by consultants Urban Vision, who were brought in to draw up a report on the application.

Members were concerned about the impact on nearby historic, listed properties and on the ancient drumlin field, a characteristic of the Dales.

EnergieKontor, the company behind the wind farm, waited until the eleventh hour to appeal against the decision and is expected to call four speakers at the appeal inquiry. They will address the issues of landscape, impact on the national park, cultural heritage and residential amenity.

It had been suggested that individual councillors defend the council’s position, but members of the planning committee have agreed to a recommendation from planning officers to appoint a barrister to argue their case.

It is understood the cost will be shared by the national park authority and the district council.

Members also agreed to provide at least two experts who would be on a level par with EnergieKontor’s. Another expert planning witness will be provided by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

Originally, the suggestion was to nominate two elected members to speak because of their locally-founded views and their ability to express their opinions as individuals and representatives.

However, Chris Emmett, from the Friends of Craven Landscape who have opposed the scheme, said the case for the council was “winnable” as long as it called expert witnesses.

His comments came following an initial suggestion to appoint a barrister and nominate one or more members to speak as witnesses.

“It’s not a case of who can speak, but who should speak. If officers do not follow EnergieKontor’s lead and call expert witnesses it will be like asking you to defend yourself with an unloaded revolver,” he said.

Coun Steve Place said: “I have read recently that there is one big shift in Government policy regarding wind farms. They have said they will give special consideration to them irrespective of what impact they might have on the local environment because they state wind farm energy is here and here to stay.

“This information reflects the latest advice from central Government and we are likely to be hit by the appellant over this,” he said.

The council’s spatial planning manager Sian Watson said the experts they would call, as well as the barrister, would be aware of Government thinking. “These are the issues that an expert planning witness will address,” she said.

The council will now obtain quotations for the appointment of the relevant representatives.

The appeal is expected to be heard at a public inquiry which is likely to take place in January 2010.