PLANS for a major expansion of the controlled airspace above Oxfordshire are just a stepping stone to something much bigger, a paraglider has claimed.

The combined proposals from RAF Brize Norton and London Oxford Airport would triple the existing area of controlled airspace.

A consultation on the changes states that the re-design will boost levels of safety and ensure effective coordination between the Kidlington airport and RAF base.

Paraglider pilot Charles Norwood, however, has warned that people in Oxfordshire are not being properly informed about the implications of the airspace change, suggesting it is a step towards London Oxford Airport becoming a ‘commercial hub’.

He and others in the gliding community have also raised concerns about the impact on gliders and light aircraft - increasing the risk of collisions by forcing them unto narrower corridors of uncontrolled airspace.

Mr Norwood said: “I have concerns that the public in the footprint of the new area of airspace are not being made aware of the scale of the potential development of the airport as a commercial hub and what the implications will mean.

“The owners of the airport are naturally looking to maximise the potential of investment. You can’t blame them for that, that’s what business does.

“But they need to make local people aware of what their plans are for the future so that these decisions can be made the right way.”

He said it was likely the airport would look at taking additional commercial flights if the expansion is approved, adding: "The next stage will probably be extending the runway."

In December the Oxford Mail reported on London Oxford Airport's desire to expand and run commercial flights across Europe.

Oxfordshire Growth Board chairman Bob Price said then it was time Oxford had an airport to match its ‘global significance’ and backed the expansion.

A poll on oxfordmail.co.uk revealed that many would support the airport expanding onto the Green Belt.

Another concern raised is that the new airspace will create 'pinch points' for gliders and pilots of light aircraft.

Steve Slater, chief executive of the Light Aircraft Association, said it would represent one of the most 'devastating blows to light aviation' in the south of England.

People can enter a response to the consultation at bit.ly/2FhmdGH before Thursday, April 5.