Airport organisers have pushed the date back to allow them more time to work on proposals which will help minimise effects on the area.

The consultation will begin on Friday 10 February and end on Sunday 14 May.

Members of the public will have the chance to view plans at 11 exhibitions across the region.

Air freight worry

The airport's managing director, Penny Coates, said: "We are concentrating our efforts on the mitigation proposals and finding the right balance between minimising the impact and enabling sustainable growth."

Edward Garnier, MP for Harborough who opposes airport expansion, said something had to be done about rumoured plans to increase air freight at the airport.

"If (it) was a trucking company running lorries through our villages all night, somebody would have to do something about it, but because it is in the air, the local planning authority can do very little about it, " he said.

Members of the public can view plans at venues in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire on dates throughout February and March, as well as at the airport itself.

Copies of the draft master plan are also being sent to local authorities.