Another public inquiry is set to be held into plans to set up a commercial wind farm.

Broadview Energy has announced it is appealing against a council's failure to decide on a four-turbine scheme near Lutterworth.

The company wants to erect 410ft-high turbines on land at Low Spinney Farm, between Gilmorton, Ashby Magna and Dunton Bassett.

The call for an inquiry comes days after the end of a three-week public hearing into a larger scheme planned nearby being promoted by Nuon Renewables.

That scheme, to erect 11 turbines near Swinford – the first of its kind in the county – is so strategically important it will be decided by the Secretary of State, John Denham.

Nuon Renewables had appealed because Harborough District Council had failed to make a decision inside the legal deadline.

Broadview is using the same argument against the council for its appeal.

Its scheme is one of a number of projects earmarked for south Leicestershire and the surrounding area.

Others are planned in nearby farms and on the outskirts of Market Harborough.

Broadview Energy's managing director Jeffrey Corrigan said: "We are sorry to appeal but we think it's in everyone's interest – local people and ourselves – to have a decision and so remove any further uncertainty.

"From the start of the process more than a year ago, we have abided by the planning procedures, shared our plans with people and liaised closely with Harborough District Council's planning department.

"We can't see any reason why the council has delayed making a decision on our scheme and so we have appealed to the Government."

The company could have waited until November to lodge its appeal, giving the council more time to make a decision.

Tony Leatham, who is campaigning against the Low Spinney Farm plan, said: "This is a blow to us. It takes local democracy out of the equation.

"The company had until November to do this. There was still plenty of time for all the information to be gathered so the council could make an informed decision at a local level.

"We will now have to consider what to do next. To brief a lawyer to appear at a public inquiry will cost us between £30,000 and £40,000.

"We are in discussion with the Swinford group to see if it can help us prepare our case."

The council is waiting for the planning inspectorate to confirm the company's appeal is valid.

A spokesman said: "If and when this is confirmed, we will consider how to respond."

Swinford campaigner Keith Kilbane said: "I'm surprised that Broadview has sought an appeal. We shall do all we can to help the Low Spinney campaigners."

Pro Wind Alliance campaigner Grahame Jordan, who lives in south Leicestershire, said: "We are supporting the Broadview Energy scheme because we believe it to be a good location.

"It will be a valuable contribution towards meeting the need for renewable energy."

He said he was "surprised" the company had opted to go for a public inquiry at this early stage.