LAANC’s view on the Airport Commission report

In view of the Airport Commissions Recommendation that Heathrow should have a third runway,  the next Executive Meeting of LAANC is being upgraded to a Full Council Meeting so as to enable as many members and observers possible to attend and hear LAANC’s initial view of the Report.

This Meeting will be held at 10.30am on 17^th July 2015 at Spelthorne Council Offices, Knowle Green Staines. TW18 1XB

If you would like to attend as an Observer please advise us on 01932 785841, time and venue as per the detail on our fact sheet page.

Airports Commission: Air Quality Assessment

LAANC's Response

Local Assessment LHR Base Take Off Spatial Map

In LAANC’s view the consultation has failed to clearly set out the conclusions of its own air quality assessment within the current UK planning policy framework. For example the assessment does not address the potential policy conflicts of opting for either of the two Heathrow proposals. The conflicts arise as the NPPF states that the planning system should perform an environmental role to minimise pollution. One of the twelve core planning principles notes that planning should “contribute to reducing pollution”. Specifically in relation to air quality impacts, the NPPF states that: “Planning policies should sustain compliance with and contribute towards EU limit values or national objectives for pollutants, taking into account the presence of Air Quality Management Areas and the cumulative impacts on air quality from individual sites in local areas. Planning decisions should ensure that any new development in Air Quality Management Areas is consistent with the local air quality action plan”.

The Commission’s assessment shows that there is a significant risk that any expansion of Heathrow would have material negative impacts on local air quality. It is therefore difficult to see how either shortlisted Heathrow option can comply with current national planning policy guidance as neither option will contribute to pollution reduction or contribute towards meeting national or EU Air Quality Limit Values.

LAANC's Full Response

LAANC Response to Airports Commission consultation

We are pleased to refer you to our Airports Commission page to see the LAANC response to the Final Consultation Questions.

LAANC Response

Davies Commission Consultation

Laanc will be discussing their response to the recent Davies Commission on additional runways at Londons Heathrow Airport at their meeting on Friday 22nd January.
If you have any views please use the "contact us" button on our
web site www.laanc-heathrow.org.uk

HOMES 'TURMOIL' IF HEATHROW EXPANDED

Creating up to 70,800 homes if Heathrow expansion plans go ahead would cause "absolute turmoil", a Windsor councillor has said.

The Airports Commission is considering the option of a third runway
north-west of Heathrow, nearer to Windsor

Malcolm Beer made his comments ahead of a Windsor council aviation forum later.

He said a third runway north-west of the airport could create the need to use greenbelt land for housing.

A Heathrow spokesman said: "There will be little or no need for additional house-building over and above current local authority plans."

'Commercial greed gone mad'

The housing concern comes after a recent report by the Airport Commission, which stated the Heathrow expansion would create between 47,400 and 112,400 jobs by 2030, which in turn would require an extra 29,800 to 70,800 homes to be created in the surrounding area, including Windsor, Slough and London boroughs.

Read the full article on the BBC News Berkshire site, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-30726088

AIRPORTS COMMISSION

Airports Commision Consultation Document

The Airports Commission has just published its consultation on the three options it has shortlisted for increasing the UK’s long-term aviation capacity. The consultation is open until the 3rd of February and seeks views on the three options for a new runway in the south east of England, and on its assessments of these options. In particular, the Commission wishes to:

• test the evidence base it has assembled
• understand stakeholders’ views as to the accuracy, relevance and breadth of the assessments it has undertaken
• seek views on the potential conclusions that might be drawn from them.

They are also interested in evidence and ideas about improving the short-listed options (e.g. through mitigation measures to address specific impacts).

LAANC will be responding to the consultation after its Meeting on 23^rd January 2015.

LONDON AIRSPACE CHANGES/PRECISION NAVIGATION – UPDATE

Precision navigation (PRNAV) is now fitted to all new aircraft and is precise up to heights of 4000ft, it is more fuel efficient, direct and more precise in the 3km wide take off swathes. This will enable an increase in take offs at some airports. Respite within the swathe will be varied with aircraft being directed to a more definitive  position within the swathe. This may well increase respite for some and be less for others.  

Precision Navigation

Trials of PRNAV prove increased departures are possible and with aircraft following a more precise line will allow more frequent take offs. There has been adverse response from previously non affected areas at both ends of Heathrow Airport. Teddington has been badly affected by the trials on easterlies and Ascot / Sunningdale / Bracknell / Englefield Green on westerlies, generating many complaints from residents not previously affected by aircraft noise. LAANC is trying to ascertain what is to be done following the trial before it is imposed on communities outside the 57db contour. Trials are being run by NATS, but PRNAV is being driven by the European aircraft control service.