Attwood to modify Planning Agreement at George Best Belfast City Airport
Published on Fri, 30 Sep 2011
by ecomms@doeni.gov.uk.
The Environment Minister Alex Attwood today announced that he has initiated a public process to modify the existing Planning Agreement between the Department and George Best Belfast City Airport (GBBCA).
At present there is a Planning Agreement which controls certain aspects of the airport’s operations including the number of aircraft movements, hours of operation and the types of aircraft that can use the airport.
Alex Attwood said: “My objective in seeking to modify this Planning Agreement is to achieve a fair, effective and enforceable noise management system. What I want to see is a system that provides appropriate protection for the local community and surrounding environment. The system will provide operational flexibility and commercial certainty for the airport with the environment protected and the quality of life respected.
“This process will be transparent and inclusive. I am proposing that the process will be subject to Public Examination with a decision taken on the modifications by early Summer 2012. The overall approach in seeking this change to the Planning Agreement is about balancing public and private interests in terms of what is best for the North.
“The ultimate aim is to achieve the right balance between the social and economic benefits of airport expansion with the need to protect the quality of life for local residents and the environment.”
The process will include a public consultation on proposals for a noise management system, to be brought forward by GBBCA. This will include a Public Examination to independently consider all of the issues and to report to the Minister.
Following consideration of the report on the Public Examination, the Minister will decide what modifications should be included in the Planning Agreement.
Notes to editors:
1. Details of the consultation process will be made known at a later date.
2. The existing Planning Agreement with GBBCA was made on 14 October 2008 and covers the following key issues:
Operating hours
Permitted Hours: 6.30 am – 9.30 pm local time
Prohibited hours: 9.31 pm – 6.29 am local time
Extended Hours: 9.31 pm – 11.59 pm local time
Note: Extended hours are only to be used in exceptional circumstances. However, no restriction shall apply to diverted aircraft at any time.
Aircraft Movements
No more than 48,000 ATMs in any 12 month period.
Approaches
To maintain a bias in favour of approaches and climb-outs over Belfast Lough.
Noise Monitoring
Monitor noise using noise contours, agreed computer models and noise tracking equipment.
3. All media enquiries should be directed to the DOE Press Office on 028 9054 0003 or out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
