People warned over runway plans

The plans have been lodged with Solihull Council

Residents living near Birmingham International Airport have been warned to expect higher noise levels if plans to extend the main runway go ahead.

But the report, commissioned by the airport on the health impacts of the plans, said there would be a negligible increase in pollution levels.

The airport's acting managing director, Joe Kelly, said a team would work to find ways of lessening the impact.

Campaigners oppose the plans submitted to the borough council in January.

The application, sent to Solihull Council, would see the runway extended 405m (1,329ft) towards Bickenhill and Hampton-in-Arden, in Warwickshire.

The airport said it means it would be able to accommodate larger aircraft and operate more long haul routes, including direct flights to China and the west coast of America.

'Aircraft emissions'

It has commissioned two reports which look at how people would be affected by the plans.

Mr Kelly said: "We will take the reports and with the professionals create the Greater Health Management Plan and that health management plan will then ensure that the negatives are mitigated and the positives are enhanced."

However, Friends of the Earth and the Birmingham Airport Anti-Noise Group (BANG) have teamed up to protest to the council, saying the expansion is detrimental to the environment and to residents.

They claim the number of people exposed to aircraft noise pollution would double and that aircraft carbon dioxide emissions would treble.

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