Elvington Airfield, near York, could take fare-paying passenger flights for the first time as part of a drive to expand aircraft activity.

But rumours that it is set to become a major regional airport have been dismissed.

Elvington Park Ltd has applied to the Civil Aviation Authority for an aerodrome licence.

The airfield is unlicensed, which means fare-paying passengers cannot use it and nor can it be used for flight training.

Elvington Park Ltd says planes have to get prior permission from it each time to take off and land. Airspace over the aerodrome is also uncontrolled, says company secretary Chris Hudson.

A licence is needed before the company can increase aircraft activity, he said.

"We get a small number of private planes landing, but they have to give notification," he said.

"We want to licence it and then we can look at expanding the aircraft side of things. We don't know what we are going to do with it at the moment."

He said there were a lot of complaints about low flying, but much of it was not associated with the airfield. Because Elvington Park did not have control of air space, it could do little to keep such flights away from the area.

If it gained a licence, it would get an air traffic control system and could prevent much of this problem.

Asked about rumours that Elvington was set to become a regional airport, he pointed to difficulties when airport plans had been drawn up at locations elsewhere, such as Finningley.

"We are not a big company, and the chances of it becoming an international airport are highly limited."

Elvington Parish Council chairwoman Janice Stark said there were local concerns about increased airfield activity.

A meeting had been held with Elvington Park and another meeting was planned for February 18 to discuss the issue further.

This would be attended by Selby MP John Grogan and representatives of City of York Council, the aerodrome and Elvington, Dunnington, Heslington and Wheldrake parish councils.

A CAA spokeswoman said the application was being processed.

City of York Council said it was not aware of the company's plans, but it was possible Elvington Park would have to apply for permission to "intensify" the airfield's use.

A spokesman also said permission may be necessary to put up buildings needed to run a licensed airfield.

Updated: 15:21 Tuesday, February 05, 2002