BIRDS flocking to a Hampshire fishery could pose a danger to aircraft operating in and out of Southampton Airport, a report has revealed.

Fears were raised there was a potential for "bird strikes" on passenger planes flying near three ponds which are situated close to the busy aircraft's flightpath at West End.

Owners of the Lower Itchen Fishery Ltd were granted planning permission for the retention of the pools on land adjacent to the River Itchen - but strict conditions were imposed.

A previous application had been refused after the Civil Aviation Authority and airport authorities expressed concerns the lakes were a potential hazard for aircraft.

An Eastleigh Council report concluded: "British Airports Authority raises the issues of the bird colonies adjacent to airfields and the concern they have over the birds coming into the path of aircraft.

"Their comments reflect those of the CAA and insist that no action is taken to feed, breed or otherwise encourage birds to this facility."

Councillors also heard of the fishery's plans to allow the shooting of ducks by field sports lakes on the lakes.

Planning boss Colin Peters said: "I don't like duck shooting, but that is my own private view, but you must discount moral conditions."

He added that duck shooting was a legal sport and there was no valid planning reason to require the applicant to agree to a shooting ban.

But Labour's Peter Luffman was worried the duck-shooters themselves posed a further danger to overhead aircraft.

"I don't want to be making a decision and then find out we are putting people's lives at risk," he said.

Eastleigh's local area committee granted permission for the continued use of the lakes but insisted a management scheme is imposed to "prevent" birds using the pond and to promote nature conservation.

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