Final week to debate flight paths

Consultations are ongoing over a proposed flight path

There is a week left to comment on planned new flight paths around Nottingham East Midlands Airport.

Some 214 councils have been consulted since October on paths mainly over Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire.

The talks have seen 650 people at eight community information events and 10,000 information brochures handed out.

Airport staff have attended meetings across three counties in Beeston, Quorn, Leicester, Great Glen, Burton-on-the-Wolds, Evington and Spondon.

The airport said proposed changes have been designed to separate and manage air traffic, minimise environmental impact of air traffic and improve air traffic control efficiency to cope with a growth in traffic.

It claims its proposals will reduce the number of people over flown by both departing and arriving aircraft, and that aircraft will be higher in the sky and quieter.

'All views considered'

But it will mean new flights paths, leading from the airport towards Leicester and Nottingham, and it will affect rural parts of south and east Leicestershire towards Rutland.

NEMA planning and development director John Froggatt said: "It is very important that all views on the proposed changes are received and considered before any decision is taken by the Civil Aviation Authority.

"Where possible, any adverse impacts will be mitigated and the airport's proposals amended accordingly. In any event, all comments received will be collated and passed to the CAA."

Copies of the consultation document and maps can be seen online or at NEMA Building 34 from 0900 to 1700 on weekdays. The consultation closes on 10 January.