§ Mr. MaudeTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty lie within 15 miles of Gatwick airport; and what assessment she has made of the impact on these AONB's from new flight paths to the proposed new runways at Gatwick. [129008]
§ Alun MichaelParts of four Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty lie within 15 miles of Gatwick airport. The Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty concerned are the Kent Downs, Sussex Downs, High Weald and Surrey Hills. We have worked closely with the534W Department for Transport to ensure that the noise impact of the proposed new airport developments is given full consideration. Taking the 57dB contour as the onset of significant community annoyance, the options for a single close parallel or wide parallel runway are likely to have a minimal impact on the surrounding Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The option of building two additional runways at Gatwick would have a greater impact on the Surrey Hills and High Weald Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.