STANSTED Airport could be put under stricter night flight noise restrictions under new government legislation.

The government has opened a public consultation on new measures to cut the noise allowed from night time flights at Stansted, Gatwick and Heathrow airports.

Restrictions currently in place at the three airports expire in October and the new rules are being design to last for the next five years until 2022.

The measures being considered are planned to encourage the use of quieter aircraft and limit the number of people affected by aircraft noise at night.

The consultation states that around 3,800 people were affected by night flight noise during in 2015/16.

Stansted is currently allowed 7,000 night movements in the summer and 5,000 during the winter.

Around 1,700 flights which are currently exempt from cap but could be included in the new rules, which would mean stricter limits for the growing airport, and more certainty on the number of allowed flights for nearby communities.

45 percent of night movements at Stansted are low-cost carriers such a Ryanair, with 35 percent being attributed to freight aircraft.

Lord Ahmad, Aviation Minister, said: "This Government is committed to tackling the issue of aircraft noise, especially flights at night, which can be a blight for people living near airports.

“Night flights are, however, important to the economy, creating extra choice for passengers and moving freight, and we need to carefully balance the needs of local communities with the benefits these flights can bring.

"That’s why we are encouraging the use of quieter aircraft by bringing in tighter noise quotas at the airports and setting strict caps on aircraft movements at night.”

The consultation will run until February 28, after which responses will be reviewed and a final decision on the flights will be published.

A spokesman for Stansted Airport said: “Night flights at Stansted play a critical role in supporting economic growth and jobs both in the East of England and the UK as a whole.

"Stansted has significantly reduced its noise footprint over the years with the introduction of the latest generation of greener, quieter, more efficient aircraft. Future environmental advancements in aviation technology will ensure that we continue to minimise aircraft noise.

"We will now closely review the Government's consultation, gather evidence and respond accordingly.”

To view the consultation visit: http://bit.ly/2j4uhwI.