Dunsfold Park aerodrome in Olympic flights bid

Plans to extend aviation activity at an airfield in Surrey during the Olympics next year have been submitted to Waverley Borough Council.

Dunsfold Park wants to run extra flights between 21 July and 15 August.

Dunsfold Park said the application followed a government announcement that airports including Dunsfold would meet extra demand during London 2012.

Alfold Parish Council has opposed the plans, claiming there is "no demand and no need" for the extra activity.

'Support needed'

A statement from the planning authority, Waverley Borough Council, said: "Waverley has received an application to vary the conditions on the planning consent for Dunsfold Park.

"The application seeks to allow for additional flying activity during the Olympics."

It said consultation would run until 6 January and a decision was expected in February.

A spokeswoman for the airfield said Dunsfold would be able to serve pre-Games training facilities in Surrey and also offer easy access to London and the Olympic venues, and was now looking for the support of the community and the borough council.

But Alfold Parish Council chairman Nick Pidgeon said villagers near the airfield were concerned about Sunday flights and extra noise from running aircraft engines on the ground.

He said there was no evidence that Olympics organisers had chosen Dunsfold Park to meet extra demand over other airports and added: "It's no more than a general mention that they want to use a number of airports."

Mr Pidgeon added: "We looked at it in the light that this was a one-off request, but we looked and said: 'Is there a demand? - and we can't see the demand, and is there a need? - and we can't see the need'."