By Hayley Robinson

Villagers are hoping people power will stop a proposed increase in the number of flights from a private airfield.

People living in Frinsted and the surrounding villages have signed a petition against plans to up the number of flights from the runway at Copes Farm, in Lords Hill, Frinsted, to an unknown amount.

Planning laws currently allow flights for 28 days a year, but this has already been breached this year, villagers claim.

Thomas Lee, of Park Road, Sittingbourne, who keeps his aircraft at the site, has applied to Maidstone Borough Council for an extension to the number of flights and to change the use of land from agriculture to a private airstrip.

Residents say that since July 2009 there has been a "dramatic" increase in the number of flights causing noise disturbance and safety concerns.

Dave Blackbrow (pictured), from Frinsted, started the petition after Mr Lee, who shares the aircraft with five other pilots, attended a public meeting at the village hall.

Mr Lee explained the council had asked him to submit an application because the 28-day rule had been breached and tried to reassure residents the site wouldn't become the 'next Biggin Hill'.

Mr Lee said: "There's no hidden agenda it will be just the same as what we are currently doing it's as simple as that."

Mr Blackbrow, who presented the petition containing 50 signatures to the council last week, said: "If his intention was to reassure villagers what actually happened was the opposite."

Residents safety concerns include well-used footpaths surround and cross the runway, power lines hang above part of the runway and the flight path passes over the centre of the village.

Catherine Slade, the council planning officer dealing with the case, said she is waiting on more information from the applicant, including a specified number of flights.

She said: "Once it comes in, the interested parties will be reconsulted before the application goes to committee.

"Because they are already flying there's a breach of planning control although they've not technically committed an offence. If they withdraw the application or drop it then we can look at other avenues of taking enforcement."

To view the application - reference number 10/1566 - visit the website www.maidstone.gov.uk