Mia Martin says her quality of life has been affected

Mia Martin says the arrival of more low-cost airlines at Southampton International Airport has brought with it a higher number of flights and more noise.

She says she is not prepared to pay her council tax as her quality of life has been adversely affected.

Ms Martin, who lives in Bitterne Park, said: "I believe we should be entitled to something because of the noise level, the quality that we have in our own homes.

"We pay for a certain standard of living."

'Drilling noise'

BAA has invested �30 million to make Southampton one of the most modern regional airports.

It is home to ten airlines flying to 22 destinations and served 800,000 passengers in 2002.

Southampton Itchen MP John Denham has warned the airport's continued success could see the number of planes using the site triple within the next seven years.

Ms Martin says that the expansion has already meant those living under the flight path are suffering.

"You can hear it in the distance - a low drilling noise type thing. Then suddenly it will come over.

"If it is a four-jet plane you will be woken up very quickly by the flight," she said.

Valuation officer

Southampton City Council is to contest Ms Martin's refusal, taking her to court if necessary.

A city council spokesman said: "External factors influencing the council tax band in which a property falls are an issue for the valuation officer, part of the Inland Revenue, who should be contacted directly.

"The city council has no statutory powers to take action on aircraft noise or frequency of movements.

"Any enquiries or complaints on noise would be referred to the airport, the Airport Consultative Committee, or the Civil Aviation Authority, although these bodies cannot deal with questions related to council tax."