AN AIRFIELD still has the right to operate despite protests from residents.

Redlands landing strip, near Wanborough, had its planning consent reviewed by Swindon Council on Tuesday night following complaints about the noise of planes taking off and landing at the strip, which is used by light aircraft for parachute jumps by skydivers.

The activities at Redlands Airfield have generated a barrage of complaints around Wanborough and east Swindon and in response to complaints, planning officers have been monitoring the activities for more than a year.

Owners of the airfield have said in the past few weeks they have addressed the situation by changing the plane to one which makes less noise, but residents say it is no better.

One said: “The noise is a nightmare. It ruins a nice day if you are out in the garden or even if you are inside. You can’t even have a conversation on the phone.

“We have spent years campaigning against this and have not got anywhere.”

Swindon Council planning committee chairman Coun Dale Heenan (Con, Covingham and Nythe) said: “The planning permission was granted before many of us were even councillors but it continues to be an issue and we need to acknowledge this.

“The problem is what powers we have to act.

“The issue of noise is what is at question and the residents do have a problem with this and it needs to be addressed without acting against Redlands running as a business.

“It is clear that we need to get more clarification about what we can do and I think we should ask our two MPs to talk to the secretary of state to see what can be done and this could help councils across the country with airfield issues.”

Coun Peter Greenhalgh (Con, Freshbrook and Grange Park) said: “I am astonished and appalled we are still talking about disrupting a legitimate business in Swindon.

“There are always going to be some people who will make a noise but they don’t reflect the views of most people who are very happy. In this current climate we cannot be looking to take action against a legitimate local business.”

The planning committee followed officers’ advice and did not take any action on the airfield, but decided to forward the issue to the Civil Aviation Authority.