Boost for airport in fight to run night flights and noisier planes

People who live close to the airport, which opened on the site of the former RAF Finningley airbase in 2005, have consistently opposed night flying at the new civil terminal.

When the original planning permission was granted in April 2003, the site's owner Peel Airports signed a section 106 planning agreement pledging to limit night flights and noise. But in 2008, the firm revealed it wanted to vary the terms of the agreement, to allow it to accept flights at night and to allow noisier aircraft to land on the site's runway.

Hundreds of people living in rural communities on the flight paths immediately objected and Peel withdrew its plans for "further consultation".

But the idea resurfaced after Christmas with a series of "amendments" attached, which will be examined by members of Doncaster Council's planning committee on Tuesday.

In a report to that meeting, planning officers recommend councillors support the proposal – effectively paving the way for night flights and larger aircraft with immediate effect.

The report says: "The airport consulted the council in 2008 on proposed variations to the section 106 legal agreement. The proposals have been recently amended by the applicant following discussions with the council.

"A large number of representations have been received from the public mainly objecting to the increase in noise levels that would result from night flying proposals.

"The amended proposals have been assessed by environmental health and noise consultants retained by the council and are considered to represent acceptable amendments to the agreement.

"It is considered that noise impacts will be at an acceptable level due to the package of amended proposals, the economic benefits of the proposal are beneficial and other impacts are not at a significant level."

Peel Airports has supported its case for larger aircraft and night flights by saying the site is at a commercial disadvantage, particularly in the air freight market because of the restrictions.

Bosses say other airports, including East Midlands, Stansted and Manchester, do not have similar regulations governing their use, and are able to attract more business as a result.

An economic report submitted to the council says that lifting the restrictions would lead to a significant growth in air freight from the terminal.

It adds that the development would "initially generate about 440 jobs".

Local councils which have opposed the scheme include Bawtry Town Council, Auckley Parish Council, Austerfield Parish Council.

Opposition has also come from parish councils in north Nottinghamshire, including Scrooby, Everton and Misterton.

Coun Patricia Schofield, a member of the council's ruling cabinet who represents Finningley, has also objected to "unacceptable noise impact of night flying".

The application to introduce night flights and louder aeroplanes to the airport has also been opposed by Sheffield Council but other neighbouring district councils have not commented.

The decision on night flying comes days after the announcement that a direct link to Dublin from the site was to be re-established in March, with flights operated by Irish airline Aer Lingus.

A Dublin flight was abandoned by Ryanair last year, and bosses said the new service would also give passengers direct access to the United States with through services on Aer Lingus to Boston and New York.