Second council turns down Redhill runway plan

RAVL has said the new runway would created 170 new jobs and bring economic benefits

The owners of a grass airfield in Surrey are considering appealing after a second local council turned down an application to build a hard runway.

Redhill Aerodrome wants to replace its three grass runways with a concrete one, giving it potential to increase flights from 60,000 to 85,000 a year.

Tandridge planning committee refused permission on Thursday, three weeks after Reigate and Banstead Council.

Aerodrome boss Jon Horne said it believed it had a robust case.

The aerodrome, which is home to more than 20 companies employing 350 people, has been in operation for about 80 years.

Its green belt site straddles the border between Tandridge and Reigate and Banstead.

A study carried out for Redhill Aerodrome Ventures Ltd (RAVL) showed the development could create 170 jobs and bring £8m a year into the local economy.

Opponents, including East Surrey MP Sam Gyimah, said the new runway would create an unacceptable level of noise and pollution and destroy the landscape.

Mr Horne said a decision on whether to appeal would be made fairly quickly.

"We are not going to let the grass grow under our feet," he said.