Bigger planes less noisy, say airport bosses
Aeroplanes carrying up to 80 passengers each could be landing at an airport on the Shropshire border as part of controversial plans for a multi-million pound expansion under consideration.
But bosses of Wolverhampton Airport today claimed the jets would actually create less noise than smaller aircraft currently flying to and from the site at Halfpenny Green.
And they claim only about 100 buildings would be affected by noise from the site.
A planning application has been submitted to build a new 1,695 metre runway as part of the proposals to turn the airport into a major aviation player.
The runway, which is currently being considered by South Staffordshire Council, will run adjacent to the 1,200 metre already in place at the airport if given the go-ahead.
The old runway would then be closed down and dug up to make way for the new structure.
Chief Executive Paul Whelan said: "We have altered the angle and the flight path of the runway so that it does not fly directly over Bobbington and Claverley. Only about 100 buildings will be in our 'noise footprint' and some of these are farm buildings, not homes.
"The new larger planes are much quieter and are also more environmentally friendly.
"There will also be less pollution in general because people will not have to get in their cars to drive to Manchester or London to fly. We are hoping to ferry people in on coaches to the site."
