A CONTROVERSIAL plan to add new hangar space at Compton Abbas airfield has been given the green light by North Dorset district councillors.

Airfield owner Clive Hughes wants to fill in space between two existing hangars to boost security for light aircraft parked at the airfield, including the police helicopter when it is in the area.

He said the move would also cut down on wind disturbance and protect aircraft from poor weather.

But local people living near the airfield were worried that the plan could increase the number of planes flying over their homes, and add to noise nuisance in the area.

A key source of annoyance for nearby residents is the growing popularity of aerobatic planes based at the airfield.

North Dorset councillors had wanted the owner to enter into a legal agreement guaranteeing that there would be no more planes or aircraft movements as a result of his application.

But Mr Hughes said this would prejudice the commercial viability of his business and instead offered to make sure no more than three light aircraft were parked in the new hangar area.

He also pledged to ensure all aircraft conformed to the rules and regulations set out by the Civil Aviation Authority and the Flying Order Book, as well as trying to keep noise to a minimum in general.

Officers told councillors that although there were restrictions on night flying and bigger aircraft, and activities such as helicopter training and parachuting, there was no restriction on the number of aircraft movements at the airfield.

But planners did not believe that the three or four aircraft that could be housed in the new hangar space would have a major impact on nearby residents.

The local Aircraft Consultative Committee has now also been reconvened, and chairman Cllr Colin Kay promised to take up any complaints from local people in the future.

First published: May 25