Members of one of the country’s oldest model aeroplane flying groups will now be allowed to take to the skies of Warwick more often

Members of one of the country’s oldest model aeroplane flying groups will be allowed to take to the skies of Warwick more often after having their hours extended.

Cllr Moira-Ann Grainger (Con, Warwick All Saints and Woodloes) told yesterday's (Tuesday's) executive meeting of Warwick District Council that Warwick Radio Control Model Flyers Group had asked that their flying hours be extended to somewhere near where they had been many years ago.

The group, which was formed in 1907, is based at St Mary’s Lands which lies within Warwick Racecourse and there were concerns about noise annoying those living nearby and that the model planes would have an adverse effect on ground breeding birds in the area such as skylarks and meadow pipit.

But councillors agreed to allow flying from 10am to 8pm between April 1 and August 31 and from 10am to 7pm - or sunset - for the rest of the year or sunset. No flying will be allowed on race days.

Cllr Grainger said: “It has taken two years for an ecology report, and a lot of discussion to come up with this current proposal.

“The change in the type of flying aircraft, and bear in mind these guys have been flying here for nearly 100 years, is that they are now all battery so much quieter and more environmentally sound.

“This will be reviewed after 12 months to see if there have been any problems with health and safety - which was raised by residents - or any problems with noise and also if they have any impact on the nesting ground birds.”

One of the findings from the ecology report was that dog walkers and their animals posed a greater threat to the birds than club members.

Cllr Grainger added: “What came out of the report and what has obviously caused a lot of consternation with residents and particularly with the Friends of St Mary’s Lands is the fact that the biggest debilitator and influence of causing grief is actually dog walkers and dogs.

“So we are going to review where we can put barriers - not full-time fencing - for the specific breeding period for the ground-nesting birds. This will not mean that the whole area will be fenced off, walkways through these areas will still be allowed. If we have a biodiversity report that tells us we need to take some action we are duty bound to do that.

“I want to look forward to increasing our birds, walking more dogs, being happy people and have our fliers flying because it has been a long time coming.”