On Tuesday, npower planning witness David Stewart spoke extensively on planning policy as it applied to the proposed 18-turbine scheme, including potential impacts on landscape and tourism.

He also challenged earlier definitions of 'medium-scale' wind farms, made by Alnwick District Council, as generating less than 50 megawatts of power.

That, he said, had since been superceded by the emerging Regional Spatial Strategy, which defines medium as between 20 and 25 turbines.

But in his cross-examination of Mr Stewart yesterday, Alnwick District Council advocate Paul Tucker said the cumulative total number of wind turbines outlined for the area - including the recently rejected bid for 10 at neighbouring Wandylaw - exceeded that figure.

The Wandylaw application may still go to appeal.

He said: "Together, Middlemoor and Wandylaw put that total beyond the top of the range.

"And this is just one small part of a total area defined in the draft strategy as suitable for a medium-scaled wind development."

But Mr Stewart replied: "The first task of the inspector is to look at Middlemoor on its own merits, because we don't know where the Wandylaw application is going next.

"Middlemoor is below that range and we can only look at what we have in front of us."

Report: Inquiry Day 2 - Afternoon