PLANS to change flight paths over East Hampshire would damage the environment and the local economy, according to East Hampshire District Council.

Controversial proposals to change air space around TAG Farnborough Airport have been submitted to the Civil Aviation Authority.

EHDC councillors debated the issues meeting on Thursday, March 2, and heard from local organisations that will be affected.

Councillors heard the changes would lead to more flights at lower altitudes over large parts of East Hampshire.

Settlements affected would include Whitehill and Bordon, Alton, Petersfield, Liphook, Liss, Grayshott, Bentley, Binsted, Four Marks, Kingsley, Selborne and West Worldham.

The flights would lead to increased noise and air pollution over countryside within the South Downs National Park, affecting the visitor experience and the local economy, and also constraining airspace for other aviators.

Keith Godfrey, former Chairman of Colemore and Priors Dean Parish Meeting, who has been flying aircraft since 1959, said the ‘selfish and greedy’ proposals would create ‘a super flyway for the super privileged who have little interest in what they are spoiling’.

The large passenger jets which used the airport carried as few as ‘five, two or even just one’ passengers. “They jump into their limousines and go into London,” he said. “They add nothing to the local economy.”

“This proposal should not even be discussed. There is no need to enlarge air space.”

Andy Beattie, from the South Downs National Park Authority, said it would “unnecessarily create issues for communities” while Cllr Mark Davison, from Whitehill Town Council, said: “This is a great concern and would lead to more and more aircraft over the town.”

Lasham Gliding Society will be massively affected by proposals if approved. Julian Richardson, from the society, said: “There is no data published to justify an increase in the airspace area.

“What they are asking to do is similar to building a motorway next to a village but they’re saying they won’t use it.”

Cllr Ferris Cowper, EHDC Leader, has met with East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds and TAG, the owners of the airport, over the matter.

“We do not believe that the case for these changes has been properly made but there is no doubt that residents in East Hampshire would suffer from more noise and more flights at lower altitude if these plans go ahead," he said.

“We urge the Civil Aviation Authority to reject and rethink TAG’s proposals.”