Aircraft Noise (Hansard, 30 November 1994)

§ Mr. Jim Cunningham
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will make a statement about aircraft noise; and what proposal he has in relation to noise at small airports;
(2) when he proposes to implement the recommendations of the review of air noise legislation contained in his latest report;
(3) what interim proposals he has to deal with aircraft noise;
(4) what assessment he has made of the local weakness in present planning legislation used by local authorities to deal with aircraft noise.

§ Mr. Norris
Airports can bring substantial economic and social benefits to their surrounding areas, but aircraft noise can also cause annoyance. It is important therefore, that aerodrome and aircraft operators minimise the disturbance to local communities caused by their operations, so far as is practicable and reasonable. All larger aerodromes and many smaller ones already take measures to reduce noise disturbance.
Aerodromes are also subject to planning legislation in the usual way, and it is for the local planning authority to assess all the relevant factors when considering planning applications. It is possible to exercise a measure of control over aircraft noise by way of conditions attached to planning permissions. Because aerodromes vary greatly in size, types of operation, and in their local circumstances, measure to minimise noise nuisance are best developed and monitored locally.
In March last year, following extensive consultation, the Government published their conclusions on new measures to control aircraft noise. The Government announced their intention—Official Report, 25 March 1993, column 706–7—to introduce new legislation to give aerodromes powers to prepare and enforce noise amelioration schemes. These arrangements would build on the existing, mainly voluntary system of control. The Government will introduce the new legislation at a suitable parliamentary opportunity. There are no plans to 763W introduce interim measures, but consideration is being given to producing national guidance on mitigating aircraft noise.

§ Mr. Jim Cunningham
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he proposes to introduce restrictions on aircraft engine noise requirements on airports.

§ Mr. Norris
Under existing legislation, all civil jet aircraft operating into all United Kingdom airports must carry a noise certificate demonstrating compliance with standards agreed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. Civil propeller-driven aircraft certificated after 6 October 1977 are also required to comply with such standards. These standards are included in The Air Navigation (Noise Certification) Order 1990.

§ Mr. Jim Cunningham
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what requests he has had from(a) airport authorities and (b) members of the public for noise mitigation schemes.

§ Mr. Norris
The information requested can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

§ Mr. Jim Cunningham
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he plans to introduce legislation to outlaw old aircraft.

§ Mr. Norris
The Government have no plans to prevent aircraft from flying purely on the grounds of their age. The United Kingdom has, however, implemented directive 92/14/EEC, which requires older, noisier jets, the so called "chapter 2" types, to be phased out between 1995 and 2002. This legislation builds on earlier action to ban non-noise certificated jets and to prevent the addition of chapter 2 types to the United Kingdom register.