Islington Council agrees motion on opposition to Heathrow Expansion & the introduction of concentrated flight paths over Islington
Islington Council has agreed a motion, to oppose the expansion of Heathrow, and the introduction of concentrated flight paths over Islington. This was debated by the Council on 26th September. The Council believes: That expansion of Heathrow is not compatible with the climate emergency recently declared by the UK Parliament and by this Council. And That noise impacts from additional flights over London would have a negative impact on the health and quality of life of Islington residents. It therefore resolves to: Oppose expansion of airport capacity in London if the Government cannot demonstrate that it is accommodated within the emissions budget that the CCC recommends for aviation in 2050, as well as other environmental limits, such as air quality. Make representations to London City Airport and the CAA calling for a fairer distribution of flight paths in London. Make representations to the Government urging UK Aviation Noise policy to be brought into line with WHO recommendations. Register as an ‘Interested Party” in the Development Consent Order Process for the proposed expansion of Heathrow. Investigate joining the No Third Runway Coalition as a local authority member
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Islington Council
Proposed amendment to Motion 4:
Opposition to Heathrow Expansion & the introduction of concentrated flight paths over Islington
https://democracy.islington.gov.uk/documents/s19700/Proposed%20amendment%20to%20Motions.pdf
The Council notes –
That the Mayor of London is opposed to the expansion of Heathrow airport.
That the report ‘Aircraft Noise” by the London Assembly Environment Committee recommended opposition to expansion at Heathrow owing to the impact on Londoners of the large increase in flight numbers.
That World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines state that frequent exposure to noise above 45 decibels is associated with adverse health effects, yet the threshold set in the Government’s guidelines is 54 decibels.
That the impact of a new runway at Heathrow is likely to exceed 54-decibels by between 3-6 dB.
That the expansion of Heathrow would result in 700 more flights every day over communities across London.
That the proposed introduction of concentrated flight paths would have a significant and adverse impact on the health of local communities by creating noise canyons over parts of Islington.
That aircraft noise has a particularly negative impact on children’s health, including their cognitive development.
The Airports National Policy Statement used a single ‘minimise total’ flight path scenario, which is not compatible with the Department for Transport’s own key environmental policy – to reduce, minimise and mitigate significant adverse health and wellbeing impacts of aviation noise.
The Council further notes –
Emissions from aviation have doubled since 1990, despite a 40% fall across the whole economy.
That Heathrow is already the largest single source of carbon emissions in the UK.
The findings of the 2018 IPCC report, highlighting the huge ecological and human cost of failure to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
The latest report from the Committee on Climate Change states that aviation must contribute to its new target of net-zero emissions by 2050.
The council has made its opposition to a third runway at Heathrow in April 2018 and again in September 2019 during the Heathrow consultation.
The Council therefore believes –
That expansion of Heathrow is not compatible with the climate emergency recently declared by the UK Parliament and by this Council.
That noise impacts from additional flights over London would have a negative impact on the health and quality of life of Islington residents.
The Council resolves to –
Reaffirm its position to oppose further expansion of Heathrow airport.
Oppose expansion of airport capacity in London if the Government cannot demonstrate that it is accommodated within the emissions budget that the Climate Change Committee (CCC) recommends for aviation in 2050, as well as other environmental limits, such as air quality.
Make representations to London City Airport and the Civil Aviation Authority calling for a fairer distribution of flight paths in London.
Make representations to the Government urging UK Aviation Noise policy to be brought into line with WHO recommendations.
Register as an ‘Interested Party” in the Development Consent Order Process for the proposed expansion of Heathrow.
Investigate joining the No Third Runway Coalition as a local authority member
https://democracy.islington.gov.uk/documents/s19700/Proposed%20amendment%20to%20Motions.pdf
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See also
Hammersmith & Fulham Council will join the 4 councils’ legal challenge against Heathrow 3rd runway