London City Airport challenges Boris’ decision to block its expansion plans, over ‘noise ghetto’ fears
Boris Johnson blocked London City Airport’s expansion plans in late March, as he said it would create a “noise ghetto” for people living under the flight path. Now, as expected, London City Airport has appealed to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Greg Clark, against the decision. On March 26th Boris ordered Newham council to reject the plans on the grounds of noise disturbance and because the airport was intended for business rather than leisure. Under the plans, take-offs and landings were expected to increase from 70,000 a year to 111,000,with passenger numbers doubling to 6 million by 2023. It would also be able to accommodate larger planes, (and be more profitable). This coupled with the airport’s plans to use new PBN technology to create a much narrower and concentrated flight corridor over Wanstead, Leytonstone and Leyton had prompted fears that noise could become an issue. The airport says it is appealing because of the jobs it creates, and its economic impact. The decision by Greg Clark could take 5 months.
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London City Airport challenges decison to block £220m expansion plan over ‘noise ghetto’ fears
Boris Johnson blocked a planned £220million expansion of London City Airport earlier this year
19.5.2015 (East London and West Essex Guardian)
London City Airport has appealed against a decision by Boris Johnson to block a £220m expansion over fears it would create a “noise ghetto” for people living under the flight path.
The Mayor of London on March 26 ordered Newham council to reject the plans on the grounds of noise disturbance and because the airport was intended for business rather than leisure.
Take-offs and landings were expected to increase from 70,000 a year to 111,000 at the airport in Silvertown with passenger numbers doubling to six million by 2023.
This coupled with the airport’s plans to use new technology to create a much narrower and concentrated flight corridor over Wanstead, Leytonstone and Leyton had prompted fears that noise could become an issue.
But today (May 19), London City Airport confirmed it was going to appeal to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Greg Clark.
A spokesman said: “We think the Mayor’s direction is wrong and ignores the significant social and economic benefits that the airport’s development will bring, as well as the comprehensive package of measures that the airport has proposed to mitigate and control noise.
“It sends the wrong message about investment in east London and London generally, and seemingly disregards the 2,000 employment opportunities that the development programme will create, as well as the £1.5bn of annual economic impact that an expanded airport will deliver.”
John Stewart, chair of campaign group HACAN East against the expansion, said he expected the decision to be made in five months time.
He said: “It is not surprising London City has appealed because they are very keen to get the space to allow bigger planes to use the airport.
“But we hope the Secretary of State turns down the appeal and backs Boris who stood up for residents whose lives have become blighted by noise from the airport.”
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See earlier:
Boris turns down London City Airport expansion plans on noise grounds
Boris Johnstone, the Mayor of London, has refused London City Airport’s plan to expand on noise grounds. In a letter he has instructed Newham Council, who had approved the application, to refuse it. The Mayor says the application does not “adequately mitigate and manage its adverse noise impacts.” Newham’s decision was always dependent on the Mayor’s approval. London City Airport wanted permission to build new taxiways to permit larger planes to use the airport. It also wanted more car parking spaces. The decision will be a bitter blow to the airport as it will now no longer be able to bring in the larger planes it wanted to serve new destinations. John Stewart, chair of HACAN East, which campaigned against the expansion plans, said “The airport is paying the price for being so cavalier about noise. Quite simply, Boris did not believe its claims that it was dealing adequately with noise. We salute his decision”. The decision appears to be final, and it is unclear whether London City Airport can appeal to the Secretary of State. They may do so.
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