§ Mr. Ian Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Trade whether a site has been acquired for the proposed stacking beacon for air traffic at Barkway; and by when he expects it to be erected.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisThe installation of navigational beacons is the responsibility of the Civil Aviation Authority, to whose Chairman I suggest that the hon. Member should write in order to obtain any further details he requires; but I understand that the Civil Aviation Authority is negotiating acquisition of a permanent site and will shortly be applying for the necessary planning permission. These procedures will, however, take some time and, because it is necessary to bring the Barkway holding area into operation in April next, the authority is proposing to erect a temporary beacon at a nearby site on Ministry of Defence land for which planning permission is not required.
§ Mr. Ian Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Trade what consultations took place with regard to the proposal to site an air navigational stacking beacon at Barkway, before the revised air routes 636W in the London Terminal Control Area were announced; and whether he is satisfied that air traffic using such a beacon would not interfere with the operations of the radio station at Wallington, near Baldock, for the extension of which planning permission has recently been approved.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisNo prior public consultations took place but explanatory documents were sent out on 18th September to 28 hon. Members, 26 county, borough and district councils, four airport consultative committees and a number of other bodies with an interest in aircraft noise. It was open to all recipients of the document to comment on the changes proposed in it, including the one relating to Barkway. With regard to the second part of the Question, I understand that the Civil Aviation Authority is maintaining contact with the appropriate authorities but otherwise there is nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member on 17th January 1975.—[Vol. 884, c.208.]