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Aircraft upset residents
RESIDENTS of Wotton-under-Edge have said they are fed-up with low flying aircraft, which they believe are dangerous and a nuisance.
People living in Wotton have said they have had enough of light aircraft using air space above their Cotswold town for aerobatics. They have also complained that the planes are flying too low above the town and are disrupting their lives by making too much noise.
Colin Lowe, of Parklands, said: "I have lived in Parklands for 19 years and over the last three years there seem to be more aircraft present overhead.
"They are very intrusive and much louder than anything else in the area where we live.
"I have spoken to Stroud District Council, Cotswold District Council and Civil Aviation and no one has jurisdiction as long as they are over 500 feet. They are a nuisance and I have had enough."
Dr John Cordwell, a Gloucestershire county councillor for Wotton, said he had received many letters of concern from residents.
He said: "It's something that has been going on for years and I have received countless letters and emails from residents about it.
"The problem is knowing where they are flying from. No one seems to want to take responsibility for them."
The Civil Aviation Authority says that all light aircraft must fly 500 feet above a person or building and in built up areas this rises to 1,000 feet.
Pilots are not permitted to perform aerobatics over settlements. The Civil Aviation Authority is able to prosecute any pilot breaching these regulations under the Air Navigation Order.
Glen Moreman, manager of Kemble airfield, said they strictly monitor what planes fly out of Kemble, where they go and what they do, but warned that the air space above Wotton was fair game to anyone with a plane.
He said: "The problem is anyone who owns a plane can go fly there, it's a free for all up there. Pilots don't have to be attached to any air traffic control, they don't even have to carry a radio if they don't want to.
"We treat our neighbours very sensitively. We have an aerobatics school at Kemble and we make them log what they are doing each day and what area they've gone to.
"It means if we get a complaint about a plane we can check if it is one of ours."
8:30am Monday 24th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: tony, Bristol on 6:53pm Mon 24 Mar 08
Please don't tell me this is true? People can find anything to moan at and this is a prime example. They will have the police out next with a speedo. Whoever reported this, please take a good long look at yourself as you are so sad you need help. People are dying in the world from hunger and disease, how on earth can a plane be a hinderance is beyond me, moaning gits is the only reason I can think off and they need to get some sort ort of life!
Please don't tell me this is true? People can find anything to moan at and this is a prime example. They will have the police out next with a speedo. Whoever reported this, please take a good long look at yourself as you are so sad you need help. People are dying in the world from hunger and disease, how on earth can a plane be a hinderance is beyond me, moaning gits is the only reason I can think off and they need to get some sort ort of life!
Posted by: harford, Bagpath on 5:23pm Fri 28 Mar 08
Living in the Bagpath valley, low-flying aircraft noise dominates many sunny days. Is it time that a campaign was started to regulate the engine noise level? This must be technically possible, and would allow the continuation of flying without the annoyance to those below.
Living in the Bagpath valley, low-flying aircraft noise dominates many sunny days. Is it time that a campaign was started to regulate the engine noise level? This must be technically possible, and would allow the continuation of flying without the annoyance to those below.
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