A DISMAYED resident offered up his own cash to pay for silencers to be fitted to aircraft he says has blighted his home – but was told he would first have to fund a noise trial by bosses at Wycombe Air Park.

The householder, who lives close to the site in Booker, Great Marlow, pulled out of the deal after refusing to pay for a test at the site, believing the results would be a “sham”.

He is a member of Wycombe Air Park Action Group (WAPAG) who have campaigned about 'noisy' planes.

Studies have shown the devices fitted to the aircraft can reduce noise by between 25 and 40 per cent.

Air park manager Tim Orchard said:“There's not yet been a noise trial at Wycombe Air Park to establish whether they make a material difference.

“There was an agreement between us as airfield operators, WDC and a representative from WAPAG who offered to pay for silencers.”

However, after agreeing parameters for the trial the resident withdrew because he “thought or believed it would be a sham,” Mr Orchard said.

The resident, who did not wish to be named, said the evidence for silencers was overwhelming and was therefore not prepared to fund a noise trial.

Mr Orchard added: “We have not turned away from the noise trial. We are constantly open to dialogue with residents.”

Twenty measures to restrict 'noise nuisance' are voluntarily observed by WAP and the number of movements is less than half of that in the 1980s, Mr Orchard said.

Wycombe Air Park's figures recorded there were 87,732 aircraft movements for the year up to June 2009 compared to 98,095 in the previous year.

A pilot was banned for life in June for repeatedly breaching the WAP's noise guidelines.

Wycombe District Council this week said it had changed its original stance on silencers and now “believe this would make a noticeable difference to the noise experienced by residents”.

A report in March 2007concluded it “would make a marginal difference to the noise climate experienced by residents”.

Spokesman Paul Wells said: “The original secondary silencer report was based on a scenario that 50 per cent of the aircraft in circuit were either from the British Airways or Wycombe Air Centre Fleet, as opposed to private aircraft.

“On that basis our recommendation was that the fitting of these silencers to this fleet of aircraft would not make a noticeable difference to the noise experienced by residents.

“However, since the presentation of the report we have been monitoring the proportions of aircraft when we do our routine aircraft monitoring, as requested by the Joint Consultative Committee.”

Since the summer of 2007 it found a ratio of just over 75 per cent of British Airways or Wycombe Air Centre as a proportion of the total flights observed.

The study was based on 91 hours of monitoring and observing nearly 1,000 aircraft.

Mr Wells said: “On that basis, if these aircraft were fitted with secondary silencers, we believe this would make a noticeable difference to the noise experienced by residents.”

*The Department for Transport told the Free Press this week government ministers are considering an appeal by WAPAG, who met with officials earlier this year, to take direct control of air traffic at Wycombe Air Park.

If the 'specification order' is successful air traffic from the site in Booker, Great Marlow, will be regulated by the DfT and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in the same way as the largest UK airports such as Heathrow and Gatwick. Currently, it is effectively self regulated.

Dft is waiting for written comments from WDC cabinet member for wellbeing and neighbourhoods Audrey Jones before ministers consider the proposals.

WDC said a consultation exercise has already been carried out with the local ward members.

WAPAG spokesman Richard Wetenhall from Lane End said its aim is not closure of the park but a more “respectful and considerate approach”.

The group said it represents between 500-1,000 households and its members also include Sands Residents Association, Frieth Village Society and The Chiltern Society.