AIRCRAFT NOISE CONTROL (Hansard, 25 March 1993)

The Minister of State, Department of Transport (The Earl of Caithness)

We are publishing today the conclusions following extensive consultation on the proposals contained in the paper issued in August 1991,Control of Aircraft Noise. Five hundred and seventy-five responses to the consultation paper were received from a variety of individuals and organisations representing aviation and local community and environmental interests.

The responses generally supported the principle that aerodromes should be responsible and locally accountable for taking all reasonable measures to minimise nuisance to local communities from their activities and for bearing the costs of doing so.

We will be taking various steps to reinforce this approach, building on the existing, mainly voluntary, system control at most airports. However, it is still appropriate for me to retain a reserve power to take responsibility myself for noise control. This power is most likely to apply to major international airports.

We propose to develop national guidance about the sorts of measures that might reasonably be taken by the different types of aerodromes and will consult widely on it when a draft has been prepared. In the meantime, views from interested parties on points that might be included are welcomed. Virtually all the responses to consultation welcomed the proposals for guidance.

In line with the principle of local responsibility and accountability, we will write to BAA to explore the scope for their taking on more direct responsibility for ensuring that noise mitigation measures at Heathrow, 26WA Gatwick and Stansted are properly observed, for following up breaches and for responding to complaints.

We will also invite the consultative committees to give their views on how such a changeover of responsibility can be smoothly and effectively achieved.

We will also be considering with other aerodromes how they might review their existing arrangements to ensure that they are as effective as possible.

When Parliamentary time permits, we will introduce primary legislation to amend the existing power for the control of aircraft noise. The changes will reflect the proposals in the consultation paper that aerodromes should have explicit powers to devise and enforce measures to minimise noise, including ground noise. We will also introduce a power to require an aerodrome to develop a noise mitigation scheme, to consult locally and to secure agreement to it with a lead local authority, with disputed points to be settled. Where the aerodrome is required to produce such a scheme, the lead local authority will be responsible for ensuring that the noise control measures are properly enforced. We will reserve the right to approve schemes where we judge it appropriate.

The power will apply to all aerodromes, including sites used temporarily by light aircraft or helicopters.

We would not expect these powers to be used widely. It is far better for aerodromes to adopt and enforce effective noise measures themselves and to be accountable voluntarily to local people about what they are doing. Generally this approach works well, and we want to build on it.