A month-long public inquiry on plans to build seven giant wind turbines near Market Drayton was due to end today.

The inquiry was sparked when energy firm Nuon Renewables decided to appeal after local authorities in Shropshire and Staffordshire refused planning permission for the scheme on farmland at Lower Farm, Bearstone, last year.

Yesterday the inquiry heard the scheme should be refused because the windfarm would have an “abnormally low” electricity output.

Tina Douglass, a barrister for residents’ protest group Vortex, made the claim in her closing speech at Woore Victory Hall.

She said the benefits of the scheme were “modest indeed” despite claims from the applicant – energy firm Nuon Renewables – that the site would produce enough electricity to power 6,000 homes.

She argued horses and bats living in the surrounding area would also be “sensitive” to the development.

And she said 53 properties dotted around the site would be affected if the windfarm went ahead.

The inquiry was sparked when Nuon decided to appeal after local authorities in Shropshire and Staffordshire refused planning permission for the scheme on farmland at Lower Farm, Bearstone, last year.

In his closing speech, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council representative, Jack Smyth, also said the appeal should be refused.

The inquiry was due to finish today with Shropshire Council and Nuon expected to deliver closing speeches to government planning inspector Trevor Cookson.