Winchester MP Steve Brine is asking his constituents, across the Itchen Valley and Alresford in particular, to find out more about plans by TAG Farnborough Airport which could significantly increase the amount of air traffic in the area.
The airport, which is largely used for VIP and business jets, is proposing massive airspace changes over much of Hampshire, West Sussex and the South Downs National Park. It is consulting on what's known as an 'Airspace Change Proposal', a formal process of the UK Civil Aviation Authority, and is inviting people to have their say until 2nd May.
The effects could include an increase in noise and visual impact from business jets flying lower over a wide area and local gliding clubs have united against the plans fearing a squeeze on the available airspace for their members.
Steve Brine says; "Opponents of the proposals have described them as a 'land grab of the skies' and when you consider TAG is reportedly applying for approximately twice the volume of controlled airspace that London Gatwick Airport uses to handle just over 34 million passengers per year, you can see their point.
"As ever it's important we understand the facts of what's being proposed here and drill right into the detail, something more important than ever in this case given the technical nature of the consultation which is not that accessible to anyone without some level of aviation knowledge. For-instance, we need to know exactly the space covered by what's known as area 'C' and pin-down the minimum altitude levels which are key to the impact for those of us on the ground. I am liaising closely with neighbouring MPs, with the gliding clubs and last week discussed the matters with the Minister and his officials at the Department for Transport."
Mr Brine said he was also speaking to parish and town councils in his constituency and is seeking a face-to-face meeting with TAG Farnborough Airport for himself and local councillors in the coming days to "pore over the maps" and allow a meaningful response to the consultation.
The proposed plans can be viewed and feedback recorded via the dedicated website noted below. All feedback gathered during the consultation will be analysed and, where appropriate, used to modify the design, before submitting to the CAA.
More information ...
Visit the TAG Airspace Change Proposal website
Find the TAG Farnborough Airport website
Read the Winchester City Council official response to the consultation which has been contributed to by Steve Brine
