§ 41. Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement concerning the planning application for an airport in the royal docks.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneAfter consideration of the Inspector's report of the public local inquiry into this application, my right hon. Friend announced on 14 August that he was disposed to grant outline planning permission for the STOLport subject to a number of conditions.
In his report the inspector proposed an alternative to measures put forward at the inquiry for controlling noise levels. He suggested that the airport might be restricted to short-take-off-and-landing type aircraft at least as quiet as the De Haviland Dash 7, with certain exceptions, though he did not provide a definition of such aircraft for the purposes of any condition which might be imposed. My right hon. Friend therefore found it necessary to seek technical advice from the Department of Transport on whether, and if so how, conditions giving effect to such aircraft restrictions could be drafted.
In accordance with normal practice, this advice has been sent to all parties to the inquiry for their comments. Representations from the parties are now being considered. When that process is complete, my right hon. Friend will need to decide how best to proceed to a decision on the application.
The hon. Gentleman will appreciate that it would not be proper for my right hon. Friend to comment further at this stage.