HC Deb 27 April 1989 vol 151 cc664-5W
Sir Eldon Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the introduction at RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath of noise insulation grants and injurious affection compensation; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Neubert

I am pleased to announce that, following analysis of the results of noise surveys in the vicinity of RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath, noise and injurious affection compensation schemes have been approved. From today the occupants of some 5,600 homes in the area will be eligible to claim a grant for the sound insulation of all bedrooms and up to two living rooms. The scheme also provides for the payment of injurious affection compensation, if there is evidence that the value of a residential property, or small business with a rateable value of less than £2,250, was adversely affected by an increase in noise or other physical effects following the bringing into use of hardened aircraft shelters at the airfields in July 1983. As any increase in noise will have been limited to the immediate areas, claims for compensation will only be considered for those residents who live in close proximity to the hardened aircraft shelters.

An announcement is being made at RAF Lakenheathtoday to local councils and media and details of the scheme will be made known in the area by advertising and by means of a leaflet delivered to properties within the boundary of the scheme.

Sir Eldon Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what modifications to the approach routes of military aircraft landing at RAF Lakenheath he expects to be introduced by the United States Air Force; and if these will reduce noise levels overhead in the residential areas of Brandon, Suffolk.

Mr. Neubert

A minor modification to the visual approach route at RAF Lakenheath has been made following discussions with the Army. This will allow aircraft in the visual pattern to turn over the Stanford training area when joining the final approach path. Although this will affect only a relatively small number of flights, there should be some reduction in the levels of disturbance experienced in residential areas of Brandon, though they will continue to be overflown. All other flight paths remain unchanged.