A CONTROVERSIAL plan to allow a flying club to operate all year round in Lowton will go to a government minister for a final decision.

On Tuesday Wigan Council’s planning committee agreed on the plan for Lancashire Aero Club to use the agricultural land west of Kenyon Hall Farm, Winwick Lane, 365 days of the year instead of the current 28.

The plan had been met with 190 letters of objection from nearby residents, councillors and the Lancashire Wildlife Trust, which has concerns about the nearby site of special scientific interest (SSSI), Lowfield Moss.

And because the committee’s decision was subsequently ‘called in’ by other councillors, it will now await a decision from the secretary of state for communities and local government.

The meeting heard that the grounds for the complaints by residents and councillors included inappropriate development in the green belt, loss of prime agricultural land, noise, health and safety fears, inappropriate vehicle access from Winwick Lane and the impact on access rights and wildlife.

The application relates to a strip of land 600 metres long, 30 metres wide that has been used under permitted development rights since 2007 by Lancashire Aero Club, after it was relocated from the Barton Aerodrome in Eccles.

The club has 200 members, the majority of whom fly regularly.

Planning permission would see the retention of the strip, the laying of a car parking area and construction of a track to Winwick Lane, while a container already on the site would remain.

The average number of aircraft per day is estimated at four or five.

Thirty letters supporting the application argued that the small aircraft made noise no louder than that of a car, most aircraft flying over the airstrip would not be landing at Lowton, any pollution caused would be insignificant, the pilots are well trained and the strip is safe.