Residents want court ruling to stop explosions at testing site in Lincolnshire

Campaigners are seeking a judicial review to stop explosions at a testing site in rural Lincolnshire.

Residents claim West Lindsey District Council has failed them in allowing alleged nuisance from the ex-RAF Faldingworth air base since late 2006.

They say noise from explosions and sirens is making their lives a misery, while the subsequent vibrations are damaging property.

The council is also accused of making no serious attempts to investigate their complaints.

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But the council says that because the noise is not a statutory nuisance, no action can be taken.

David Humpage, a composer, from Toft-next-Newton, said: "After five years of nuisance we are screaming fed-up and a fantastic amount of my time has been used on this," said Mr Humpage, a member of Residents Against Testing and Storage.

"A judicial review could see a judge tell the council what they should be doing in terms of protecting people from nuisance.

"We have gathered 80-to-100 signatures on our petition which we'll be sending to the council as their last chance to stop the review through action against the Faldingworth operation."

Faldingworth Defence's test facility is said to be used to trial military ordnance and hardware, such as field tests of protective armour plate in support of Ministry of Defence development work.

District council spokesman Shelley Knowles said: "A detailed investigation has been carried out with regard to the complaints of the explosions from Faldingworth.

"The council employed a consultant to conduct an in-depth study with regard to the issue and have also sought legal advice.

"The result of this is that the activities at the site do not constitute a statutory noise nuisance and as such no legal action can be taken against the site.

"We are continuing to work with the site in order to keep people informed when the site will be undertaking tests."