Local people and councils have protested against plans for a major flight training centre at Gloucestershire Airport.

They fear it will lead to training flights 24/7 and involve night flying which would "severely impact on many people's quality of life."

Skyborne Aviation Ltd has applied for permission to build a four-storey high 79-bed student accommodation block as part of a flight training academy for aspiring commercial airline pilots.

The company says the gross contribution to the local economy generated by the development in spending power would be between £1.5m and £2m a year. It would also create up to 50 full time jobs.

There is a global shortage of qualified airline pilots and only one other comparable flight training academy in the UK.

Skyborne Aviation believes that the scheme, if approved by Tewkesbury Borough Council planners, will help make Gloucestershire Airport the leading venue for both general aviation and commercial pilot training.

But local people have objected to the scheme claiming it would lead to an intensification of airport activity beyond its existing opening hours.

Down Hatherley Parish Council said in a statement to Tewkesbury Borough Council: "The activity linked to this proposed development in the Green Belt would severely impact on many people's quality of life and blight their properties, due to the extended airport operating hours and night flying it requires.

"We therefore object to the application."