More than 700 people want the council to reconsider plans to redevelop Rochester Airport.

The Say No Rochester Airport Masterplan campaign group handed in hundreds of responses to the idea before the public consultation closed last Friday (September 20).

The council wants to spend around £4.4 million on a new concrete runway and improved facilities which would free up extra land to be sold or leased to businesses.

It could create up to 1,000 jobs.

Under the proposal, the council would pay £4million to build the runway and install both ground and aeronautical lighting, refurbish hangars, build a control tower and improve access and parking.

The paved runway would allow modern small aircraft to take off and climb to a higher altitude very quickly, meaning fewer residents would be affected by noise.

A further £400,000 would go on demolishing some buildings, some of which date back to the 1930s when the airport was built, new fencing and other expenses.

The money has already been added to the council’s building programme, ahead of a decision on whether to approve the masterplan.

The council argues the investment will pay for itself through land sales and businesses paying for leases.

Bill McLennan said the plans are misguided.

The Wilson Avenue resident leads the Say No To Rochester Airport Masterplan group.

"I hope the Conservative councillors listen to the overwhelming view of the residents that the masterplan needs to be scrapped," he said.

"The current masterplan is dangerous, financially unsound and will impact adversely on the lives of thousands of local people near to the airfield."

The group claims, among other things, that the plans are financially unsound, potentially dangerous and will depress house prices.

The views of the public will be considered by the council, before councillors vote on whether to give final approval to the plans later this year.