A TOWN council has objected to new flight paths into Leeds Bradford Airport, saying planes would be flying over a much more densely-populated area.

Under the proposals, more aircraft will fly over Baildon, and more frequently, but at a higher altitude.

Airport bosses say changes to its airspace, so aircraft can achieve greater height more quickly, will allow planes to fly fewer miles, and reduce disruption to local communities.

But Baildon Town Council has opposed the plan, saying it will lead to an increase in noise over Baildon. Members say the information supplied in a consultation document did not allow them to “gauge the real impact” of noise.

LBA officials answered residents’ questions at a consultation event held at the Baildon Club, Northgate, last month.

In a statement, BTC chairman Peter Ashton disputed the effects of the changes on air pollution. He said the consultation document pointed to smoother departure procedures leading to lower emissions but other interests believed that taking flights up steeper and faster would increase fuel use and at least offset the claimed improvements.

LBA bosses said planes would have a controlled ascent.

Night departures are not addressed in the consultation document. BTC said it was keen to see a commitment that no flights would take place over Baildon between 10pm and 7am. LBA said this was not part of the consultation.

An LBA spokesman said: “We are disappointed to learn that BTC opposes changes to modernise departure and arrival procedures, as well as the associated volume of controlled airspace at LBA.

“Airport officials have engaged with hundreds of local residents across four drop-in consultation events around the local area, receiving many positive comments.

“The basic structure of the UK’s airspace was developed over 40 years ago. Over this time there have been significant changes including a hundred-fold increase in demand for aviation and it needs to be modernised.

“The proposed amendments provide a range of environmental benefits including reduced noise impact on many local communities, reduced CO2 & NOx emissions as well as better track-keeping performance.”

The deadline for public consultation is Sunday, November 5. Responses to the consultation should be emailed to lbaconsultation@ospreycsl.co.uk with the title LBA Consultation.

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The airport will then submit its application to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). If approval is achieved, LBA will complete controller training with the changes set to be implemented from autumn next year.

To provide improved spacing between arriving and departing aircraft and greater efficiency of operation, the new procedures require additional airspace.

The overall number of locations overflown by aircraft using the airport will reduce. Airspace changes are being made at airports across the UK.