EDINBURGH Airport's flight path plans have been put on hold after the Civil Aviation Authority has said a number of technical issues need to be addressed.

The news has been welcomed by Green MSPs who say proper consideration needs to be given to Scotland’s transport priorities before the plans can continue.

A coalition of community councils and elected representatives wrote to the CAA back in May asking for the consultation to be halted due to concerns over a lack of clarity in the proposals.

The airport wants to change the flight paths as it says current routes rely on 1950s technology.

However their plans raised concerns about an increase in the number of planes passing over West Fife homes, with residents worried about more noise and air pollution.

Green MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Mark Ruskell, said the plans had been "arrogantly rushed through" by Edinburgh Airport which had resulted in flaws at every stage of the consultation.

"Now we learn that even the technical aspects of the proposal were not up to scratch, and we’re pleased to see the CAA taking their duty as regulators seriously and putting a halt to these plans," he said.

"This is only a temporary reprieve for local communities though, as the airport can still re-submit their application. We think there needs to be a halt to unfettered airport expansion whilst we seriously consider Scotland’s connectivity needs.

"The airport has said they are looking to increase peak time capacity, when many of the flights leaving are to London or other parts of the UK. Proper investment in rail could easily meet this demand without sacrificing the health and wellbeing of local communities.

"This includes pulling the plug on the Scottish Government’s planned cuts to Air Departure Tax, which only reinforces the myth that unsustainable growth in aviation is a good thing.”

Further detail on the reasons behind the CAA’s decision is due to be published next week.