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Rushmoor Council has received a further application to increase the number of flights from Farnborough Airport from 28,000 to a maximum of 50,000 movements per annum (including an increase at weekends and bank holidays from 5,000 to 8,900 per annum).

The proposal would almost double the already significant level of noise and disturbance arising from aircraft movements over Brookwood and the surrounding area. In particular the increase at weekends and bank holidays would cause maximum disturbance to residents.

The BVA have arranged a petition opposing this application and we would urge you to sign it as soon as possible. The petition is available for signature at Fulks, Tudor News, Bentleys Garage and the Post Office.

In addition, you may also personally write or e-mail your objection, as follows:-

By post to…
Rushmoor Borough Council, Council Offices, Farnborough Road Farnborough, Hants GU14 7JU. Quoting reference 09/00313/REVPP
and include your full name & address.

By E-mail to:
plan@rushmoor.gov.uk
Again you must quote reference 09/00313/REVPP and include your full name & address in your E-mail.

An objection (letter or E-mail) needs to detail why you are objecting. The BVA are referencing increased noise and disturbance from the increased number of flights. You may wish to also use this as grounds for your objection as well.

BACKGROUND :

From an earlier post on this site…

Farnborough Aerodrome has an Ordinary Licence (Number P864) granted by the CAA that allows flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction as authorised by the licensee (TAG Farnborough Airport Limited).  Brookwood village lies immediately below the flight path for the airport.  The major concern for the village is increased noise from low flying aircraft, as well as potential increased road traffic congestion. TAG took over control of the airport in 2003 when the MOD stopped operations there.

 Business aviation has increased from a low level in 1989 to around 19,000 movements in 2005 and around 27,000 in 2007. the airport is currently restricted to a maximum 28,000 movement a year, of which no more than 5,000 are permitted at weekends. TAG’s initial application to Rushmoor Borough council to raise the weekend limit from 2,500 to 5,000 movements was initially refused, but allowed in March 2008 upon appeal, following a public inquiry.

 In January 2009 TAG published a draft master plan for developing the airport. The plan states that the aerodrome expects to be hosting 50,000 flights by 2018, but doesn’t stop there:

“While the physical capacity of the airport could accommodate up to approximately 100,000 air traffic movements a year, approximately 50,000 a year until 2019 is being considered in light of current safety and environmental constraints…Given the forecast growth of business aviation and the airport’s unique position as a dedicated business aviation airport, it is possible that further expansion of the use of the airport may be sought in the period 2020 to 2030.” You can view the plan at http://www.farnboroughairportconsultation.com/

 Farnborough Council plan to publish their Rushmoor Local Plan in 2011.  This will set out how the council sees the area developing in the long term and include the airport.  The Council embarked on a public consultation specifically regarding the airport development plans and will make a decision over whether or not to grant planning permission for the increase in flights from 28,000 to 50,000 a year.  More information is available from www.rushmoor.gov.uk.

 At the March 2009 meeting of the Farnborough Aerodrome Consultative Committee (FACC), Brandon O’Reilly, the chief executive of TAG Farnborough Airport, the company that owns and operates the airfield, said that on a fairly typical day “last week” there were just 2.7 passengers per flight, adding that the actual average figure could be even lower.  He accepted that 2.5 passengers was probably a safe average.  According to green campaigners, such private jet passengers at Farnborough Airport cause more damage to the environment than users of any form of transport except space travel!