Redhill Aerodrome in revised Surrey runway bid

Aerodrome boss Jon Horne said the company had tried to address people's genuine concerns

The owner of a Surrey airfield has submitted a revised application for a hard runway after its first bid failed.

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 and Reigate councils turned down its original bid last year.

Aerodrome boss Jon Horne said this new application addressed the reasons for refusal in 2011 and the firm was confident it would be successful.

'Minimal landscape change'

He said: "When it comes, that success will not just be for the aerodrome business, but it will secure and increase the 450 jobs it supports today to some 590 in future, as well as assist other local businesses and help attract much needed new investment into this area."

Mr Horne said the company had spent over two years listening to people's views and had sought to address their genuine concerns.

The revised application included minimal change to the landscape, reduced noise impact, and proposals to improve road safety and public transport connections, he added.

And he said the planned hard surface area had been reduced by 25%, but in other respects the application remained the same as that submitted in 2011.

He said the councils would carry out consultation and a decision was not expected before November.

More than 1,000 people signed a petition against the original plans which were rejected last year. Opponents said the new runway would create an unacceptable level of noise and pollution and destroy the landscape.