Fareham Borough Council is preparing to submit a planning application to install ground level lights on the runway at Solent Airport. It is running a pre-application consultation and would like to hear what local residents think of the proposal and how it may affect them. The consultation can be found here:
Currently, if aircraft wish to land after dark or in cases of bad weather, they cannot take off or land at Solent Airport. If Aeronautical Ground Lighting (AGL) is installed, aircraft would be able to take off and land safely during times of poor visibility. This will not affect the restrictions currently in place that limit the number of flights after dark and before midnight to 10 each day. The lights will only be illuminated when aircraft require them to land.
The consultation will run until 19 August and feedback will help inform the final scheme design. There will then be another round of consultation when the planning application is submitted later this year.
Executive Leader of Fareham Borough Council, Cllr Seán Woodward, said: “While Solent Airport has planning permission for 10 flights after sunset, aircraft can’t currently take off or land in the dark or bad weather. If the proposed lighting was installed, not only would aircraft be able to use the runway safely during times of poor visibility, but the airport would attract new operators and further the Council's Vision to develop a vibrant and sustainable airfield for the future.”
More information about the runway lighting scheme can be found on the Council’s website here:www.fareham.gov.uk/daedalus/aglscheme.aspx