A HIGH Court hearing brought by a residents’ group will decide the fate of a 10 turbine wind farm.

The group opposed to the Bradwell wind farm will challenge the planning inspectorate’s decision to give the go ahead for the wind farm in the High Court from March 1 to March 3 next year.

Battle (Bradwell and Tillingham Tackling Lost Environment) is appealing on eight grounds, focusing mainly on noise levels and the potential for aesthetic changes to the turbines.

Neil Yates, chairman of Battle, said: “We believe, and our legal advisors believe, that the inspector was wrong on several places in his decision.”

But Npower renewables project manager, Michael Williams, said work on the project is still expected to start in 2011 be operational in 2012.

"We are confident that the project is in a good location and complies with all of the relevant planning policies.

“Once operational the wind farm will make a significant contribution towards the UK renewable energy targets,” Mr Williams said.

The move marks the final route of appeal for Battle after planning inspector Philip Major decided to allow Npower Renewables’ plans for 10 wind turbines to go ahead in September 2007, overturning Maldon District Council’s decision in July 2006.

Soon after Maldon District Council said it would seek legal advice on challenging the decision but decided not to because it would cost too much.

In April, Battle released a statement which said if the Bradwell wind farm was allowed to go ahead “there will be little to stop the two additional wind farms currently proposed for the Dengie and leaves the door wide open for further developments”.