Councillors have been told they will be consulted by Edinburgh airport management as it pursues extra flights.
The eastern end of the county is under the flightpath from the airport at Ingliston and any increase would result in greater disturbance in areas such as Broxburn.
West Lothian Council’s Environment Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel heard that the Civil Aviation Authority had blocked the latest attempt by Edinburgh to develop capacity because it was unhappy at the level of public consultation.
Now, the council will be consulted on any future plans.
Councillors Diane Calder and Chris Horne, representing the Broxburn ward, had expressed concerns.
Councillor Calder said she was pleased the council was taking the lead in dealing with the proposals.
“I have always been concerned that the airport puts a huge onus on [dealing with] the community councils in West Lothian,” she said. “Some councils struggle to get a group together and can be overwhelmed so I’m glad we are taking this forward and keeping an eye on this as a council.”
Environmental Health manager Craig Smith delivered a report on the latest plan to develop the airspace. This would mean more flights in peak periods and more flights taking off westbound across the county. He said that the airport remained committed to developing.
Chris Horne asked “Can they just have as many kicks of the ball as they like?”
Mr Smith said he couldn’t answer but said the council remained keen to engage with the airport at every opportunity.
Chairing the meeting, Councillor Tom Conn, who sits on the Edinburgh Airport Consultative Committee, said he could answer Councillor Horne.
“The answer is probably yes,” he said.
But he qualified that by adding: “The CAA seems to be risk averse.
“My understanding is that no airport has got through the barrier of approval.”
