HC Deb 14 May 2004 vol 421 cc612-3W
Mr. Garnier

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what research his Department has conducted into the(a) levels and (b) effects of (i) noise and (ii) air pollution on the residents of (A) Harborough District, (B) Oadby and Wigston Borough, (C) Melton Borough, (D) Charnwood District, (E) Loughborough and (F) North West Leicestershire District arising from increases in day and night flights into and out of Nottingham East Midlands Airport by (1) 5,000, (2) 10,000, (3) 20,000, (4) 30,000, (5) 40,000, (6) 50,000, (7) 60,000, (8) 70,000 and (9) 80,000 aircraft movements per year over the next decade; and what assessment has been made of the effects in each case of such increases between 10 pm and 6 am each day; [173011]

(2) what research his Department has conducted into the (a) levels and (b) effects of (i) noise and (ii) air pollution on the residents of (A) Harborough District, (B) Oadby and Wigston Borough, (C) Melton Borough, (D) Charnwood District, (E) Loughborough and (F) North West Leicestershire District arising from increases in day and night flights into and out of Nottingham East Midlands Airport by (1) 5,000, (2) 10,000, (3) 20,000, (4) 30,000, (5) 40,000, (6) 50,000, (7) 60,000, (8) 70,000 and (9) 80,000 aircraft movements per year over the next decade (x) using the eastern and south-eastern approach and departure flight paths only and (y) where approaching aircraft have to circle in stacks before receiving clearance to land. [173015]

Mr. McNulty

Environmental controls at Nottingham East Midlands Airport are a matter for local control by the airport.

It is not envisaged that air pollution from these levels of movements would result in exceedence of any air quality standards. Under the system of local air quality management (LAQM), local authorities have a duty to review and assess the current, and likely future, air quality in their areas against the national objectives set out in the "Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland" and prescribed in the Air Quality Regulations 2000.

The Department is engaged in a major research study looking into attitudes to aircraft noise, "Attitudes to Noise from Aviation Sources in England" (ANASE). Phase 1, which is nearing completion, is intended to ensure that the methodology for valuing subjective annoyance from aircraft noise, to be used in phase 2 (the main social survey), is robust.

Mr. Garnier

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the(a) employees of the airport and (b) the airline companies that use or intend to use this airport with whom Ministers and officials held discussions about the expansion of the capacity of Nottingham East Midlands Airport; when and where the discussions took place; and which Ministers and officials conducted them. [173012]

Mr. McNulty

During the preparation of the White Paper "The Future of Air Transport", Ministers and officials discussed the future of Nottingham East Midlands Airport on numerous occasions with a wide range of interested parties as part of the extensive consultation process. These included the management of the airport and its parent company and relevant airlines, but also other parties concerned with the future development of the airport including its consultative committee, local authorities, regional and local development agencies, business interests and environmental and local community groups. Similar discussions will continue to take place as we look to implement the policies set out in the White Paper.

Mr. Garnier

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his Department's policy is on the level of use of the Antonov and Boeing 747 400 freighter aircraft at Nottingham East Midlands Airport; and if he will make a statement. [173014]

Mr. McNulty

The Department does not have a policy on which types of aircraft may use particular airports, providing that restrictions such as planning conditions and noise agreements are observed and safety requirements are met.

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