Unrestricted flights from Hampshire garden helipad refused by council

Lawyer Mayus Karia was hoping to fly in clients to his £1.3m home in Durley.

However, his application sparked more than 20 objections from villagers who said the noise and disturbance would be unacceptable.

The plan was refused by city council planning officers on August 30 due to the harmful impact on neighbourhood dwellings and the village’s tranquillity.

Mr Karia originally applied to develop the helipad in Stapleford Lane, with no more than two round-trips per month between 8am and 6pm, which was approved by the city council in March.

Original plan (Image: Wildcry Technical Services/Solent)

But the lawyer revised his plans, requesting unrestricted flights in a new application submitted in June.

The city council’s decision notice read: “The unrestricted use of the helipad and helicopter landings results in unacceptable additional noise and disturbance impacts upon neighbouring dwellings. The site is within a rural area and the unrestricted use has a harmful effect on the rural tranquillity of the area.”

Objecting to the application, Natasha Bartlett, of Brookside Way, West End, said: “I fully object to this application as Durley is a rural community and the property is located next to a working farm and equine centres in close proximity. It is also surrounded by fields with animals and residents living in close proximity.”

Geoffery Travers, who lives in the same lane as Mr Karia, said: “I fully object to the unrestricted flights of helicopters into the property that is located directly opposite my property that I have owned for over 25 years.

“This is not an appropriate site as the pad is located less than 100 yards from my property and the noise and disturbance would be unacceptable.

“My wife and I are both in our late 70s and we moved to this location for peace and the rural location. We also have livestock in our fields at certain times of the year with pregnant animals at times, which could cause unwanted stress and even abortions.”

Proposed helipad location (Image: Will Dax/Solent News)

Jane Woodhouse, also of Stapleford Lane, moved to Durley for a peaceful life following a career of shift work.

Ms Woodhouse wrote: “It would be unacceptable to have a helicopter landing any day and anytime. There are many options in the area, for the helicopter to land at other sites local to the address.

“The lane has many children walking their dogs and riding their ponies up and down it, and it would be an awful disaster if these are 'spooked'.

“I feel the property has been developed really nicely with a wonderful landscaped garden. Let’s leave it at this, and have tranquillity for the neighbourhood.”