Suffolk Coastal is reminding town and parish councils that they have until May 15 to give their views and help shape the Council’s response to the plans to alter the way aircraft are directed to fly in eastern England.

The National Air Traffic Service (NATS) has asked Suffolk Coastal for its views on the proposed development of the Terminal Control North which governs the way that commercial aircraft are managed over eastern England and a large part of London and the south.

“This consultation by NATS is strictly about the way flights are managed in our region and has nothing to do with any possible expansions of airports or increases in air travel. This Council has been asked for its comments and we have contacted our town and parish councils to find out what are their views,” said Cllr Andrew Nunn, Cabinet Member for the Green Environment.

“The proposals would see a change in the way that the airspace is controlled over Suffolk, Cambridge and Essex. I would recommend that people have a look at the detailed proposals on www.consultation.nats.co.uk and then let us know their views.

“We have asked for our town and parish councils to tell us what they think, but I would also throw that invitation out to all our residents. We will be taking a considered view on the proposals and responding in time for the May 22 deadline,” added Cllr Nunn.

Anyone wanting to give their views to Suffolk Coastal can email environmental.protection@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk or can of course give their comments direct to NATS via its consultation website.

According to NATS, it is applying the ‘utmost rigour’ to develop proposals which give full consideration to all the issues regarding safety, efficiency and the environment.

NATS is seeking feedback on this proposal before submitting it to the UK airspace regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority, for a decision.