Major changes planned for Weston

Developer Jim Mansfield has unveiled plans to create new facilities in west Dublin for business flyers.

Mr Mansfield has applied to the Irish Aviation Authority to upgrade his aerodrome at Weston to accommodate executive aircraft, The Irish Times understands. If successful, his proposal could ease some of the pressure on Dublin airport. However, it is likely to be controversial with residents in west Dublin who fear noise pollution and possible plans for further expansion.

However, the developer, whose plans for Weston have been rejected on several occasions by An Bord Pleanála, has stated that he has no plans to fly commercial aircraft into Weston.

Local councillor Derek Keating said the proposals would send "shock waves" through local communities in Lucan and elsewhere.

Mr Mansfield's company, Weston Ltd, has filed an airspace change proposal to the authority which seeks a big increase in the airspace available to the facility to allow it to handle greater numbers of executive aircraft.

It says the growth of Dublin airport has caused an "unrelenting" increase in demand for additional air capacity. Dublin airport has been forced to reduce slots to non-commercial traffic at peak times, thereby restricting the flexibility of executive aircraft.

Casement Aerodrome in south-west Dublin, which is operated by the Department of Defence, is not routinely available for use by civilian aircraft and there are no other suitable airports near Dublin other than Weston, the submission claims.

As a result, Weston has taken a business decision to promote itself as the executive and business airport to service Dublin's business community.

The company says it needs significant changes to airspace arrangements to achieve its objectives. It claims the Irish Aviation Authority and the Department of Defence broadly supported its proposals during informal talks.

Weston is largely used by light fixed-wing aircraft and small helicopters. It now plans to reduce the amount of flight training in favour of executive aviation.

It says it has informed local interests of its plans and has made efforts to reduce potential noise nuisance caused by aircraft.