Bromley Council bosses are to make a decision on Biggin Hill Airport’s application to extend its operating hours, at the end of this month.

Councillors will debate the proposal at a special full council meeting on Wednesday March 25 at 7pm before a final decision is made by the executive.

The Tory executive will meet in the Great Hall to take the decision immediately after the debate in the Council Chamber.

The council says more than 36,000 borough residents have responded to its public consultation on the proposals, which closes today (March 13).

More than 15,000 people responded to the airport’s own consultation last autumn with 80 per cent supporting its development plans to create 2,300 jobs and cut its noise footprint in half.

Around 66 per cent supported the airport’s proposed new opening hours.

Bromley Council leader Councillor Stephen Carr said: “There has been significant public interest about the Airport’s proposal and I would like to thank residents for taking the time to respond.

“There are clearly many and varied views being expressed, with strong views held by those both for and against the proposals.”

The proposed extended hours are 6.30am to 11pm from Monday to Saturday and 8am to 11pm on Sundays and public holidays.

No more than eight flights would depart or land in the first half hour of the day from Monday to Saturday, excluding public holidays, under the proposals.

No more than eight flights would depart or land in the last hour of the day.

The current operating hours are from 6.30am to 10pm from Monday to Friday and 9am to 8pm on weekends and public holidays.

To find out more about the application and how to respond to the consultation visit www.bromley.gov.uk/bigginhillairport.

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