Business leaders have spoken up in support of the latest bid for planning permission for a hard runway at Redhill Aerodrome.

Gatwick Diamond Business, which represents business and commerce in the region to provide what it calls “a united voice to influence Local and Central Government issues,” has said it “strongly” supports the application from Redhill Aerodrome Limited (RAL) to replace the existing grass runways with one hard runway and associated infrastructure.

The Crawley-based business group said the scheme would bring “real economic benefits” as well as add to East Surrey's attraction as a business location.

Jeremy Taylor, chief executive of Gatwick Diamond Business, accused people who object to the scheme of “standing in the way of economic recovery.”

Writing in a letter of support, Mr Taylor stated: “I am writing to ensure that the business perspective is presented on the Redhill Aerodrome planning application for a fixed runway.”

He stated: “We strongly support the application as it will bring real economic benefits in terms of on-site job creation, as well as contributing to East Surrey as a business location.

“Our view is that this development will raise the profile of the north of the Gatwick Diamond, demonstrate that there is economic confidence in difficult times, and so it will be easier to attract inward investment and attract people to work in the area.”

He continued: “The development of Redhill Aerodrome is in line with Government policy at a national, regional and local level, as it allows for greater connectivity to domestic and international locations.

“We have to also bear in mind that the development not only creates new employment, but secures the 450 jobs that are on the aerodrome, as well as supports diversity in local employment.”

Citing local feeling against the plan, Mr Taylor stated: “In respect of the impact on local residents, the new application shows a range of changes and improvements that resolve the objections made to last year’s application.

“The ‘hard surface’ area has been reduced by 25% and the runway alignment has been altered to reduce the changes to landscaping, and there is improved provision for access to public transport as well as road safety.

“Although noise was mentioned by the councils in relation to the Green Belt, noise was not, in itself, a reason for refusal of the last application.”

He concluded: “In my view, anyone who chooses to oppose this application is standing in the way of economic recovery.”

RAL submitted its much anticipated revised planning application for a hard runway to Reigate and Banstead Borough Council two weeks ago.

Its last application was turned down by borough planners at the end of last year, and when it announced that it would be preparing a revised planning application in May, and began a public consultation exercise which ended in mid-June, its plans drew fire from East Surrey MP Sam Gyimah.

He called them “just a rehashed version of what we have seen before,” and said the proposals would have a “monumental impact” on residents and their quality of life.

Tandridge District Council also refused RAL's last application last December.

Jon Horne, chief executive of Redhill Aerodrome Ventures Limited, stated on the aerodrome's website: “We are confident that the changes we have made to our proposals address the reasons for the refusal in 2011, and that we will ultimately be successful in delivering what is a modest physical change to the aerodrome and its operations.”

Mr Horne said: “When it comes, that success will not just be for the aerodrome business, but it will secure and increase the 450 jobs it supports today to some 590 in future, as well as assist other local businesses and help attract much needed new investment into this area.”

He added: “We are poised waiting to invest in Surrey at a time when even Surrey needs more investment and jobs to help it and the country be more competitive and attractive as a location within Europe and the wider world.”

Mr Horne said the local planning authorities will undertake a 21-day consultation on the planning application and invite comments, and the application will have a 16-week determination period, with a decision not expected before November.

Salfords and Sidlow Parish Council, which in August last year held a public meeting on the issue which drew about 130 people, with a vote taken at the end seeing only two people from the parish not object, has announced it will be holding another public meeting this month.

The meeting will take place at Salfords Village Hall on Wednesday, August 29, at 7pm.

On its website, the parish council stated: “It is essential for people to come to the meeting, even if you have been to previous ones, so that when our observations go in we can say that there has been good public participation.

“RAL will be in attendance and provide a brief presentation on the new application.”

In its website statement, the parish council repeated its response to the four-week public consultation exercise held by RAL in advance of the current revised planning application, saying: “Salfords and Sidlow Parish Council has discussed the consultation document and will await the full application before making a decision.

“However, we recognise the residents of Salfords and Sidlow have made it plain in the past that they are opposed to a hard runway at Redhill Aerodrome.

“The parish council would usually object to inappropriate development in the Green Belt.

“Further, the parish council would usually object to any development which includes a hard runway at Redhill.”