A BAN on night flying is preventing businessmen from using Headcorn Aerodrome to reach appointments in the winter, according to owner Jamie Freeman.

That, and the need to give trainee pilots the opportunity to win their night-time proficiency award, has led Mr Freeman to seek a change in the conditions attached to the planning permission for the aerodrome.

At present, the aerodrome operates under a consent granted by the Secretary of State for the Environment in 1977, which has a condition limiting flying to no later than one hour after sunset or before sunrise, except in emergencies.

The aerodrome is seeking to have this altered only for the winter months between October 20 and March 20, to allow flying from one hour before sunrise until 7.30pm each day.

Mr Freeman said: "This will make very little difference to residents, but will allow people to fly away during the day and still get back to Headcorn in the evening."