Chinooks diverted during Downton Abbey filming

ITV drama succeeds where residents have failed by diverting Chinook practice flights during filming at Highclere Castle

RAF Chinook helicopters were diverted from practice flights above Highclere Castle during recent filming of the second series of Downton Abbey - something some residents have tried and failed to enforce over their houses for a number of years.

The flights were stopped thanks to the prompt action of the historical advisor to the ITV hit series, Alistair Bruce.

Una Maguire, of Milk Publicity, the PR company for Carnival Films, which produce the Downton Abbey series, confirmed Mr Bruce, also a Lt Col in the Territorial Army, recently called a senior RAF official to request the Chinooks, based at RAF Odiham, practice their sorties elsewhere.

However she stressed this had only happened on one occasion during filming of the second series:

“They were buzzing above our heads and Mr Bruce called RAF Odiham and asked for operations - they were happy to oblige,” said Ms Maguire.

“If it had been operationally imperative, that wish would never have been granted,” she added.

MOD spokesman, Major Nick Barton, said he was 95 per cent sure if someone rang through to complain, staff at RAF Odiham would oblige and re-route the helicopters.

“The correct procedure would have been for the film company to apply in advance for an exclusion zone to cover the short period of time during the filming,” said Major Barton.

He confirmed that anyone could apply for an exclusion zone, for events such as game shoots, horse riding events, fairs and hot air balloon displays.

Owner of the Highclere Castle estate, Lord Carnarvon, stressed no-one at the estate had made any complaint to the RAF at Odiham.

“We respect their need to train over Highclere estate for their very important work in Afghanistan and other areas and they mostly fly over our land to the east of the A34 by Ladle Hill,” said Lord Carnarvon.

In July last year (2010), Ashmansworth villager, John Anscomb, wrote to Newburytoday.co.uk's sister newspaer, the Newbury Weekly News, complaining villagers were being woken up by large helicopters hovering over houses for periods of about 20 minutes during the night.

“The noise is appalling. The windows rattle. The downdraft can knock you over. It's damaging my health, the sleep disruption,” said Mr Anscomb.

At the time, MOD spokesman, Ray Routledge said there was a high demand to train helicopter pilots in manoeuvres and said: “We are sure that the public appreciates the high level of commitment that is currently being demanded of our military helicopter force on operations around the world, including Afghanistan.”