EAST Lindsey District Council will decide its views on a controversial wind farm application at a meeting tomorrow (Thursday).

The proposal for eight 125-metre turbines on land between Baumber and Wispington is now to be heard before a planning inspector.

Renewable energy company Enertrag UK appealed to the Planning Inspectorate for non-determination after East Lindsey District Council failed to meet a deadline as it continued with its research.

Now, the council's planning committee will discuss the application at its meeting before it is decided by a planning inspector.

East Lindsey District Council commissioned consultants to carry out an independent report which analysed the environmental statement submitted by Enertrag.

The report stated the wind farm could distract motorists and assessed issues ranging from noise, vibration and ecology, with the information in many sections described as "adequate" and some as "thorough".

Enertrag UK project developer David Linley said he is hopeful the inquiry could take place in July.

He said: "We have appealed to the planning inspectorate on non-determination. Instead of going into the inquiry with every topic open, which will cost taxpayers a lot of money, this process will mean the inquiry will look at the items that East Lindsey say they would have rejected the application on, and this is part of the process of selecting the issues."

The plan has lacked support from residents since it was announced and the Baumber Wind Farm Action Group was also established to protest against Enertrag UK's plans.

Action group chairman Melvin Grosvenor said: "Enertrag UK has lodged an appeal ahead of a full ELDC planning meeting, despite open knowledge of the commissioning of these independent reports and their publish dates.

"It is the opinion of Baumber Windfarm Action Group that this is a blatant attempt to circumvent the local planning process and ignore local democracy and the views of the vast majority of local people, almost 900 of whom have so far written to object.

"BWAG will carry on its objection until the matter is resolved."

The meeting will take place tomorrow at Tedder Hall, Manby, starting at 11am.