New restrictions on late night flights at Birmingham Airport are being introduced to keep noise levels down and minimise disturbance for local residents.

Solihull Council's planning committee has rubber-stamped the proposals, which include a ban on extra late night flights and stopping older aeroplanes with louder engines at late hours.

Previous policies covering the airport did not discriminate against noisier aircraft.

Councillors were told that the policy, which is set to take effect in October and run until 2021, will allow the authorities to more effectively control and monitor the impact of night noise on those neighbourhoods near the airport, which include the likes of Marston Green and Hampton-in-Arden.

The new policy demands there is no increase in the number of aircraft taking off between 11.30pm and 5am, prohibits the scheduling of louder planes at certain times and reduces the night noise limit from 85 decibels (dBA) to 83.

The possibility of a further reduction to 81dBA will be considered at a later date.

Planning officer Lawrence Osborne said there had been "a significant amount of community engagement" in devising the new policy.

Coun Jim Ryan (Con) represents Bickenhill, the ward in which the airport is based.

He told fellow members of the planning committee he was very pleased with what had been brought forward, describing it as "a major improvement", and paid tribute to the airport and wider community.

"What has been achieved is truly remarkable when you think that the airport were kicking and screaming in the early days against any of this," he said.

"Also, aircraft engines have advanced somewhat in the last 15 years. They're much quieter now than they used to be so I think the noise footprint has shrunk as a result of the technology of new aircraft."

An airport spokesman said: "We welcome Solihull Council's support for the new night flying policy which is in place for the next three years.

"We also thank them for their positive comments about the airport's approach to community engagement and the way in which it has worked in collaboration with key community representatives throughout this process."