A COUNCIL has spoken out after its appeal against an increase in flights was rejected.

Bexley Council had asked the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Hazel Blears to call in a planning application allowing London City Airport to increase its flights from 80,000 to 120,000 a year.

The council is concerned this will mean a vast increase in the number of low-flying planes over Thamesmead.

Newham Council had approved the expansion in October.

And now Ms Blears has concluded that Bexley’s concerns were adequately addressed by Newham.

Chairman of Bexley's planning control committee Cllr John Fuller said: ”Despite considerable opposition from their own residents, I understand that only six of the fourteen members of Newham's Planning Committee attended the meeting at which the application was discussed.

“It appears that they and the Secretary of State have chosen to ignore the views of the many people who opposed the application."