Application for homes just yards from runway

12:58pm Wednesday 16th May 2007

Britain's first airport homes are to be built in multi-million pound project which will create 200 jobs.

While many householders complain about being under the flight paths of noisy jets homeowners who don't mind a din are being enticed to eight new apartments to be built yards from the runway at Shoreham Airport.

The flats will be aimed at aircraft owners, aviation enthusiasts and airport staff and will have state-of-the-art sound-proofing to protect them from the racket of 75,000 flights a year.

They will flank the main terminal and are expected to look like the properties at Brighton Marina.

Erinaceous, the company which bought the airport last year, believes there is already strong interest in the homes and is considering building a hotel on the site in the future.

Up to 200 new jobs will be created as part of the modernisation plans submitted for planning permission this week.

New commercial property, including new hangars and offices, a new fire station and control tower and an overhaul of the Art Deco main terminal buildings are all outlined in the plans published by new airport owners Erinaceous in a 60-page dossier.

It is the first time Erinaceous has published detailed plans for the site after taking over the airfield from Brighton and Hove City Council and Worthing Borough Council in a £9 million deal last year.

The company believes the plans will provide a significant boost for the local economy and help the regeneration of Shoreham.

The planning application makes no mention of increased flights or use of the airfield by jets, which some residents had feared, but with Erinaceous intending to attract more business through the redevelopment flights are likely to increase in coming years.

Airport manager, John Haffenden, said: "We're incredibly excited about these plans "These represent a substantial investment in the airport and will help turn it even more into an aviation business and facility that the local area can be proud of.

"This will make Shoreham unique amongst British airports.

"We are very exited by this development and are sure it shows commitment by the owners to Shoreham Airport's future."

Shoreham Airport is Britain's oldest licensed airport, having first played host to experimental flights as far back as 1910. It also played a key role in both World Wars.

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