CONCERNS have been highlighted by a Green MSP over the proposed Edinburgh Airport flightpath changes which will have an impact on Fife villages.

Around 50 villagers in Limekilns worried about the changes attended a meeting with airport officials on Tuesday night and Mark Ruskell, Green MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, has spoken out on behalf of West Fife Coastal Villages.

The airport is currently carrying out a consultation process to seek community feedback on plans which residents say have already affected noise levels across Fife, the Lothians and Central Scotland.

Sue Hamilton, council secretary, said: "The meeting was very well attended. Between 40-50 in the area turned out as many had concerns regarding the excessive air noise pollution above the village. We were told that the noise increase was because of the way the wind was blowing, and that it was blowing more than it ever has previously in our direction. They have evidence of that being in the case and will be sending us copies of this soon.

"Many good questions were raised as some people are being driven spare by the noise, whilst there are others haven't been affected. I do think that communities underneath the flight path are being ignored and just aren't being recognised at all."

MSP Mr Ruskell said: "The north-bound route flying out of Edinburgh Airport and over Fife was designed to be used by small planes heading to the Highlands and Islands. Now, almost 60 jets a week heading to Scandinavia and across the Atlantic are using this route, causing disturbance to quiet villages like Limekilns, Charlestown and Culross. "Edinburgh Airport have previously claimed that planes will not be flying any lower over Fife but this ignores the fact that planes are larger and flying more frequently.

"Our understanding is that Edinburgh Airport is nowhere near capacity and, in fact, fewer flights are landing now than in 2007. We're very concerned that this consultation has been carried out over the summer months, when many community councils do not meet, and on top of that, the consultation form is a very long and complex document which does not make it easy for local people to make their views heard.

"The Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport are currently reviewing how changes to flight paths should be made and consulted upon and we are worried that Edinburgh Airport are rushing through the process to avoid complying with the new guidelines."

The consultation, Let's Go Further, launched in June, and closes on September 12. West Fifers can respond to the consultation on: www.letsgofurther.com/feedback, or by writing to the Consultation Co-ordinator, Edinburgh Airport, PO Box 17473, Edinburgh, EH12 1ND.