Sir – One night last week we endured a flight over our house so low you could hear the passage of air over the wings and after 11.30 at night. I know we must make allowances for the police and military but I can conceive of no good reason for this. It awoke all of us.

The plane was rendered instantly recognisable by the penetrating whine of its powerful twin turbo-prop engines. It frequently circles endlessly from 7am until midnight. I was forced to give up the attempt at working the other day, as it became impossible to concentrate.

These flights are but the worst in a relentless succession by helicopters and light to medium aircraft at intervals often less than a minute long.

We frequently hear of plans to expand use of Kidlington aerodrome, sometimes referred to as an ‘airport’. To us, this would spell the end of living in what was once a lovely rural village, now spoiled by noise, increasingly from the air above our heads.

For some bizarre reason, there is no local authority over antisocial behaviour in an aircraft. Should someone decide to practise their aerobatics all day long, directly above your house, there is nothing whatsoever you can do about it.

Neither the district nor county council has the power to intervene. You can complain to the CAA but even they lack the authority to act on your behalf. They have no jurisdiction over military flight. The MoD regulates itself in this regard.

Exactly why does the operator of an aircraft enjoy carte blanche to cause any degree of nuisance they like? And why is there no agency which can arbitrate between a community and the MoD over what abuse is and is not necessary in our defence?

Time for a change, I think.

Dr Ian East, Islip