Speakers struggled to be heard after the microphones on their desks failed to pick up their voices.

Even planning inspector Alan Novitzky was drowned out by the sound of traffic passing the Northumberland Hall, prompting calls from the public gallery for something to be done to raise the volume.

But a re-shuffle of furniture and the PA system - which was supplied for the inquiry by applicant npower renewables - still failed to have the desired effect.

Advocates for npower and Alnwick District Council then had crouch to reach their microphones in a bid to be heard.


Progress was slow for the next hour, with only the opening statements heard, before Mr Novitzky called an adjournment because of the ongoing technical problems.

The session was due to resume at 12.30pm, but was then delayed by another hour while npower ordered in some new microphones.

One objector commented: "If they can't organise something as simple as this, what hope have they got running a wind farm?"

Npower apologised for the delays.