ORGANISATIONS across the New Forest are lining up to fight plans which will send the number of planes flying over the area soaring.

The New Forest National Park Authority is leading the way by objecting to proposals to increase airspace over the area.

National Air Traffic Control Services (NATS) wants to widen air corridors above the New Forest, as revealed by the Daily Echo last month.

Major expansion plans for Southampton and Bournemouth airports will mean far more flights at all levels over the national park.

The park authority says the plan "would result in some of the most tranquil areas of the New Forest being overflown by commercial aircraft".

A spokesman said: "If the expansion of the area of controlled airspace over the New Forest is permitted (alongside the expansion plans at Bournemouth and Southampton airports), the authority believes the opportunities for quiet recreation and finding a 'sense of wilderness' in the national Park will be lost."

The NPA commissioned its own noise assessment which concluded a greater area than now would be affected by aircraft noise.

The 140-year-old New Forest Association and parish councils also object to the proposals to expand the air corridors.

William Ziegler, chairman of the New Forest Association, said: "It is with regret that once again our neighbours are disregarding the fact that their actions will detrimentally affect the special qualities of the New Forest."

Burley Parish Council and Bransgore Residents' Association are adding their weight to those opposing increased airspace.

A new NATS tracking device is due to come on stream in September to check whether aircraft are sticking to approved routes.

Bournemouth Airport is to spend £32m on an ambitious expansion scheme that could see passenger numbers triple to three million in ten years.

Southampton Airport's master plan envisages an increase in annual passenger numbers from 1.84m in 2005 to more than three million in 2015 and doubling again to six million in 2030.