Application for Hanger in Milnathort conditionally approved

Feb 19 2010 Perthshire Advertiser Friday

OBJECTORS’ attempts to clip the wings of a new aircraft hanger in Milnathort have been grounded, writes Denis Brown.

An application to erect a new 12x40m hanger to house micro-light and rotary wing aircraft at Balado Park – part of the former Balado Airfield – was conditionally approved this week.

While the Pegasus Flight Training site has been a base for micro-light and rotary wing plane activity for 20 years, increased demand from pilots looking for aircraft storage facilities has outstripped two small hangers.

The application was approved at Perth and Kinross Council’s development control committee meeting, after strong representations by applicant Douglas Alexander and objector Ken Miles.

Mr Miles was one of 25objectors whose concerns include amenity loss, threat to public safety and health, loss of privacy from flights over homes and detrimental wildlife impact.

But the main thrust of concerns zeroed in on increased nuisance noise levels from more aircraft.

Mr Miles claimed the droning sound of flights – every 15 minutes in busy periods – resembled “flying chainsaws”.

“If this plan gets off the ground, the number of aircraft will be exactly double the existing amount,” he said.

“The airfield has been defunct for many years and the establishment of the commercial flying school, which was established only one year ago, has undoubtedly caused many people a great deal of noise nuisance.

“Previous to that there were only hot air balloons using the airfield.”

Councillor Wilma Lumsden said members wanted to pin down the actual increase in flight numbers.

Mr Alexander conceded that there would be more aircraft flying, with noise levels subject to civil aviation controls.

Councillor Sandy Miller suggested Mr Miles’ noise claims may be “exaggerated”.

“I live in the area and have to go outside my house to hear micro-lights,” he said.

Mr Alexander said the new training school was a strong tourist magnet for Kinross and expansion would create jobs.

In addition to the new storage and maintenance hanger facility, his vision also included office space, pilots’ lounge, briefing rooms andvisitor amenities.

“We want to be public friendly, we don’t want to open a huge cafeteria or anything like that,” he said.

“This is the most affordable type of flying you can do in your own backyard but we’re not talking about a huge influx of people.”

Council officer Nick Brian pointed out that flying activities on the site were already permitted and the focus of the application was use of the hanger.

“Once airborne, controls over noise levels fall under other areas,” he said.