MORE details have emerged of opportunities allegedly missed by Redbridge Council to consult the public on plans for a huge expansion of flights over Wanstead and Woodford.

The Guardian has seen a letter written by Richard Gooding OBE - chief Executive of London City Airport (LCA) - to Redbridge Council leader Keith Prince who states that the authority was notified about, or offered access to, information about the LCA's plans for up to 50,000 extra flights over the borough on no fewer than three occasion since 2006.

During an Area One committee meeting in November, planning officer David Hughes said that the council had not been consulted by Newham Council about the plans - but this letter proves that senior officials had been given the chance to find out the details THREE years ago.

According to the letter - dated December 1, 2009 - the LCA sent the council a copy of its 'Master Plan' for the airport during the first consultation period between March and May 2006, and invited councillors and officers to attend a briefing on the proposals on May 3 that year - but received no response.

Mr Gooding also claims the LCA sent an email to the council with a briefing about its planning application on August 3 2007.

Cllr Prince said he was not aware of receiving the letter but would make enquiries about the matter.