VILLAGERS living near Birmingham International Airport have been shocked to learn that airliners could be coming into land only 400ft above their houses if the runway is lengthened.
Research carried out by a community group in Hampton-in-Arden suggests planes will be flying about 150ft lower than they do now, subjecting residents to more noise. After abandoning the idea of a second runway for the time being, the airport company has submitted plans to extend the existing runway by 405 metres to the south to enable BIA to handle more long haul flights.
Graham Juniper, chairman of Hampton-in-Arden Society, said the prospect of lower-flying aircraft was "very worrying" and the society would seek assurances from BIA about minimising noise pollution.
He said: "The glide path for the descent to Birmingham Airport starts about five miles away, around Temple Balsall, continues over Barston, Eastcote and Hampton where the planes are at about 560ft.
"The rate of descent is three per cent but when the runway is longer, aircraft will be coming in much lower, in fact too low for comfort."
His concerns were shared by the chairman of Hampton Parish Council, Malcolm James, who said the extended runway would bring the flight path much closer to the village.
He added that he also wanted planes taking off to continue what is known as 'The Hampton Turn', making a 19 degree right turn when they have gained sufficient height, to minimise noise for villagers.
"If the runway is extended, aircraft will fly straight ahead rather than turning away from the village," he said.
A spokesperson for the airport said: "Based on our calculations, planes will be approximately 70ft lower on the three-degree approach path.
"This means that when passing the most populated parts of Hampton, aircraft which currently are at about 1,000ft will be approximately 930ft."
The runway extension plans can be viewed on Solihull Council's website at www.soli-hull. gov. uk/ planningservices/15089.htm Comments can be registered online. The plans can also be viewed at Solihull Connect and people can write with their comments to the council's planning services. Closing date is February 22.
