The eight-day hearing at Matlock Town Hall comes after the application for the wind farm in Carsington was turned down by Derbyshire Dales District council last year.

The hearing began with statements from West Coast Energy, the district council and Carsington Parish Council.

Jeremy Pike, speaking on behalf of the developers, said: "The proposed development would make a significant contribution to the Government's renewables targets.

"The evidence will show there will be no unacceptable adverse impacts arising from this wind energy proposal, let alone impacts which could and should outweigh the clear, strong policy support for this development."

However Anthony Crean, representing the district council told the appeal that the company had failed to explore any alternative sites and the developer's environmental statement "massively exaggerated" the benefits while failing to satisfactorily address the flaws.

"The public has been mis-advised on the benefits of the proposal."

Opponents of the scheme will have a chance to speak at the hearing later this week but have already collected more than 1,000 signatures on a petition and 600 letters of objection.

The application also includes a substation, access roads and cabling at the Carsington Pastures site.

A judgement will be made by planning inspector Robin Brooks.