DfT consultation on its Draft Aviation Policy Framework

The consultation on the government’s Draft Aviation Policy Framework is now available on the DfT’s website. The DfT says it “sets out the Government’s high level policy and seeks responses to questions on the benefits of aviation, aviation’s climate change impacts, noise and other local environmental impacts, how the diverse interests in the aviation debate can work together and the how aviation and the planning regime interact.”  The consultation period runs until 31 October. The main document, 98 pages, is at Draft Aviation Policy Framework  The consultation document has 23 pages on the benefits of aviation to the UK, and 12 pages on its climate change impacts. It does have 24 pages on noise and other environmental impacts. 



 

Draft Aviation Policy Framework

http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/dft-2012-35/

Publisher:Department for Transport
Status:Open
Type:Formal written consultation
Published date: 12 July 2012
Closing date: 31 October 2012
Mode/topic:AviationAir trafficAirport

Summary

The Government’s primary objective is to achieve long-term economic growth. The aviation sector is a major contributor to the economy, and we support its growth within a framework which maintains a balance between the benefits of aviation and its costs, particularly climate change and noise.

This is especially important for those who live close to airports and bear a particular burden of the costs. We therefore want to strengthen the arrangements for involving communities near airports in decisions which affect them.

It is equally important that the aviation industry has confidence that the framework is sufficiently stable to underpin long-term planning and investment in aircraft and infrastructure.

Why we are consulting

This document sets out our draft sustainable framework for UK aviation (referred to as the “Aviation Policy Framework”). It is a consultation document and has been informed by the over 600 responses we received to our scoping document. It is a high-level strategy, setting out our overall objectives for aviation and our policies to achieve those objectives. It is underpinned by two core principles:

  • Collaboration: By working together with industry, regulators, experts, local communities and others at all levels – international, national and local – we believe we will be better able to identify workable solutions to challenges and share the benefits of aviation in a fairer way than in the past.
  • Transparency: To facilitate improved collaboration, it is crucial to have clear and independent information and processes in place – those involved in and affected by aviation need to have a clearer understanding of the facts and the confidence that proportionate action will be taken at the international, national or local level.

Please note that in this consultation, we are seeking views and information relating to the questions that follow. We intend to issue, later this year, a Call for Evidence on maintaining the UK’s international connectivity. This will include an opportunity to comment on what, if any, new airport capacity may be required to meet the UK’s needs in the medium and long term. If you wish to make such comments you are encouraged to wait until the Call for Evidence as these would be outside the scope of the current consultation.

Consultation documents

Respond to the consultation

Online form

Email:  aviation.policyframework@dft.gov.uk

Post:  Aviation Policy Framework
Department for Transport
Great Minster House (1/24)

33 Horseferry Road
London SW1P 4DR.

 

The consultation sets out the Government’s high level policy and seeks responses to questions on the benefits of aviation, aviation’s climate change impacts, noise and other local environmental impacts, how the diverse interests in the aviation debate can work together and the how aviation and the planning regime interact.

The links below will take you directly to the written statement from Justine Greening, the press notice and the consultation document.

 Press release: http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/press-releases/dft-press-20120712b

 WMS: http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/statements/greening-20120712a

 Con doc: http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/dft-2012-35

 Con summary of responses: http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/dft-2011-09/