Views wanted on airport plans

The deadline for comments to be submitted is 19 December

Residents are being asked about proposals to use a Sussex airport for commercial flights.

Two options are under discussion for Shoreham Airport - both of which would increase the number of planes using it.

One of the suggestions is to keep the existing runway and just increase general flights.

The other option for residents to consider is to replace the runway with one that is more than 150m longer and on a different alignment.

This is an important landmark and either option will have significant impact across the whole region Don Turner, Brighton and Hove City Council

This option would enable commercial flights to use the airport.

Shoreham Airport is jointly owned by Brighton and Hove City Council and Worthing Borough Council.

Brighton and Hove City councillor Don Turner said: "This is an important landmark and either option will have significant impact across the whole region."

If built a longer runway would enable commercial aircraft to use the airport and could create up to 1,000 new jobs.

The councils have said keeping the runway as it is could jeopardise the long-term potential of the airport.

But they also said the introduction of commercial flights would not alter existing flights.

Public meetings and exhibitions are being held throughout December to enable people to air their views.

All issues including noise, environment and transport would be looked at before planning permission is applied for, the councils said.

Comments need to submitted before 19 December.