Government approves weekend flight increase for Farnborough Airport

The Government has allowed the planning appeal by TAG to increase the number of flights at Farnborough Airport at weekends and Bank Holidays.

The decision by the Secretaries of State for Communities and Local Government and Transport to give TAG planning consent for 5000 weekend and Bank Holiday movements a year, overturns a decision by Rushmoor Borough Council to refuse permission in June 2006. The total amount of movements a year will remain at 28,000. A movement is either a take-off or a landing.

The announcement on Friday (14) follows a public inquiry last spring by the Planning Inspectorate, the government agency responsible for planning appeals, and upholds the inspector's recommendations.

TAG had applied for planning permission in October 2005 to double the number of permitted movements at the Airport at weekends and on Bank Holidays.

However, the Council refused planning permission because it considered it would be likely to result in an adverse impact on the lives of people living near the airfield, particularly because of increased noise and disturbance at times when they are likely to be home. The Council said it had also not been shown that there was overriding economic benefit to support the proposal, and it would be contrary to a policy in the Local Plan, which restricted the amount of flying at weekends and Bank Holidays.

Responding to the decision on Friday, Councillor Peter Moyle, Leader of Rushmoor Borough Council, said: "Clearly we are disappointed that the Council's decision has been overturned. However, the decision has now been taken and it appears that the inspector, who managed the inquiry, and the Secretaries of State have given careful consideration to the environmental and noise impacts, together with the economic benefits to Rushmoor and the surrounding area.

"Now that the decision has been made, the Council will be able to develop its core strategy for the Local Development Framework and engage residents in consultation on the way forward for the future shape of Rushmoor."

A copy of the Secretaries of State's letter and the inspector's recommendations is available on the Rushmoor Borough Council website, http://www.rushmoor.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=6699

For more information, please contact Keith Holland, Head of Planning, Rushmoor Borough Council, on 01252 398790.