A PUBLIC meeting takes place on Tuesday, October 9 in Burley-in-Wharfedale for residents who are concerned about the impact of noise pollution from aircraft and the impact on quality of life.

Leeds Bradford Airport is proposing to introduce new flight routes next year as part of the national Airspace Change Programme. The most important of these for Burley-in-Wharfedale is the western departure route between Burley and Menston.

Further to the drop-in sessions held last year, two presentations of the final proposals, with particular emphasis on the effect on Burley, will be given by the airport’s Head of Air Traffic Services Mr Jim Wylie who is in charge of air traffic control and the observance of procedures. Each will be followed by a question and answer session.

They will be held on Tuesday, October 9 in Salem Church Hall, Burley-in-Wharfedale, at 5.30pm and 7.30pm.

The meetings come as Burley Parish Council appeals for locations to monitor aircraft noise in the village.

A parish council spokesman said: “The current noise monitors for Leeds Bradford for Burley lie well outside the village - the nearest is at Laund House Farm at the far end of Otley Old Road, directly under the path of aircraft arriving at LBA from the North West.

“The Parish Council has now been promised a mobile noise monitor which will be connected to the airport’s recording system, and the aim is to record the current sound levels and then to compare these with those received after the introduction of a new departure route and GPS navigational systems next year. We have been assured that noise levels from departures will reduce. The arrival route will not change.

“The monitor is quite small, about the size of a surveyor’s level or theodolite, and several residents have kindly offered to host the monitor, but we are looking for a few more sites for the sound experts from Leeds Council and the airport authority to select from.

“Offers are welcome from those whose properties are within or to the south of a line along Prospect Road and east of the railway.”

If you are prepared to have your property considered, email Peter Jenkins at pcj@f2s.com.