A CONSULTATION over plans to test unmanned military spy planes over parts of west Wiltshire has been criticised this week.

The Ministry of Defence has announced plans to increase the height and distance of airspace for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), which would see them tested over parts of Warminster.

Wiltshire county councillor Paul Batchelor, who found out about the proposal through a friend, is not opposed to the idea but feels there hasn't been sufficient consultation to make people, including the town council, aware of the plans.

Cllr Batchelor said: "It affects all of the south of the county. It's a half-hearted attempt at a consultation I think.

"We need to support the Army training and I am sure no one will reject it at the end of the day but it just would be nice to be consulted."

The consultation papers, released online on June 16, have been sent out to various interested parties, including West Wiltshire District Council and West Wilts MP Dr Andrew Murrison, although Wiltshire County Council and Warminster Town Council have not been directly informed.

The online consultation paper describes how UAVs are currently operated by the MoD over parts of Salisbury Plain.

This space, according to the paper, "is insufficient to accommodate the full training requirements" of the unmanned aircraft.

Dr Murrison, MP for west Wiltshire, supports the proposals, but agrees that the county and town councils should be formerly advised.

He said: "I'm surprised. I would have thought they would have been informed and I'm disappointed if they haven't.

"UAVs are an increasing part of the Army's tool box and if the Salisbury Plains are to remain relevant as a training area we have to remain as flexible as we can."

The Watchkeeper, which is the UAV that will use the airspace if approved, is due to enter service in 2010.

It is designed to carry various sensors to provide surveillance for troops on the ground.

If approved it will be flown at levels between 8,000ft and 14,000ft and the noise level is expected to be minimal, or the equivalent to quiet speech, although noise data for the aircraft is currently unavailable.

According to the consultation papers, operating the unmanned aircraft further away from the where combat is taking place will mean there will be it will be at a lesser risk of attack from enemies.

It is this need to operate at a greater range that is driving the need for the new airspace, the consultation paper says.

Consultation drop-in sessions for the public will be held at Salisbury Guildhall on Tuesday July 22 and Saturday August 30 between 2pm and 6pm.