TOUGH conditions over night flying and the type of aircraft which can be flown from Southend Airport are set to be imposed by local councils.

Anna Waite, Southend councillor responsible for planning and transport, revealed conditions would be imposed if the airport sought a runway extension, a move seen as vital to its future development.

Last week it was announced the airport had been sold to hauliers the Stobart Group for £21million.

Bosses at the company have said they intend to carry out the proposed extension plans, which as well as the new runway include a hotel, control tower and railway station to link with the Liverpool Street line.

Mrs Waite said: “Extending the runway would involve the diversion of Eastwoodbury Lane and this would need a planning application.

“It would give us the opportunity to impose conditions. At the moment, the airport can open 24 hours a day and fly whatever type of plane it likes. We would be looking at conditions which would protect the people of Southend from undue noise, particularly at night, while allowing the airport to continue developing.”

Keith Hudson, Rochford councillor responsible for planning and transport, said: “We would be anxious to control the amount of night flying from Southend Airport and the type of aircraft if it is going to expand.

“While we want to see a thriving airport, it is also important to see the interests of local people are preserved.”

Airport managing director Alastair Welch said plans were already being drawn up for the future, although no decisions had been made by the Stobart Group.

He added: “An extended runway would allow the use of quieter planes than at the present time.

“Southend is a 24-hour airport, but we are conscious of the concerns of local people and will seek to take them into account in any future plans.”

Denis Walker, from the South East Essex Friends of the Earth group, said: “Ideally, we don’t want to see any expansion and previous airport owner Regional Airports claimed it was a viable airport without expansion, so we don’t see any reason for it.”