Bridgnorth balloon flights plan remains up in the air

The authority is considering allowing Virgin Balloons to run early morning and early evening flights from Severn Park.

Bridgnorth Town Council members were recommended to give the idea the green light at a meeting on Tuesday night but it was suspended amid angry exchanges a third of the way through.

It came before the matter of the balloons had a chance to be discussed.

The row on Tuesday revolved around a decision by mayor and council chairman Councillor Norman Cottrell to withdraw a report on the purchase of a CCTV camera for Squirrel Bank and led to the meeting being adjourned until Monday.

Councillors have already met a representative of Virgin Balloons at the park to discuss the viability of the flights plan and now it is decision time.

A report by town clerk Anne Wilson says: "The representative confirmed they were probably looking at no more than four times a month and this would either be an early morning flight or early evening flight."

It added: "However, in the winter months, when it became lighter later, then any flights would take off slightly later in the morning."

Mrs Wilson said the councillors were told at the site meeting that the only noise would last for about 20 minutes when the balloons were inflated and that would be done in the direction of the Telford road, not towards residents' homes.

She said Severn Park would be just one of many sites in the area offering flights.

It was confirmed at the site meeting that all visitors who took a balloon flight would be expected to pay to park in Severn Park.

Mrs Wilson concluded by saying: "Members are therefore asked to consider this report and confirm that Virgin Balloon Flights would be able to take off from Severn Park up to four times each month."