Gatwick Airport has expressed concerns to the UK government that its expansion plans might become unaffordable if it is forced to purchase up to 4,400 homes affected by aeroplane noise. The South-East England airport has presented the government with a noise reduction programme as part of its expansion plans for local residents. Conversely, the airport could likely pay relocation costs for residents if the proposed plan is terminated by local planners. Campaigners have voiced their opposition to the project but Gatwick feels it has a compelling case mitigating impact on air quality, emissions, and noise.
The owners of Gatwick have sent a letter to Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, arguing that the proposed home purchases measure is unfair. The new plan “is a gross departure from national noise policy and, if imposed, would severely bring into question whether the project could be investable or financeable,” according to the airport owners. Aircraft noise expert Ed Clarke told the BBC that the granting authority could impose a heavy burden on Gatwick, eventually requiring the purchase of several properties that are currently unaffected by significant aircraft noise. However, Gatwick has to offer a cheaper scheme to fund as much as £26k worth of replacement glazing and noise insulation per home. It is calling this the 23-mile strip of land stretching between West Sussex, Surrey, and Kent.
The airport has said that it has revealed a robust and compelling case that carefully mitigates impacts on noise, air quality, and emissions: “For example, our proposed noise insulation scheme exceeds UK airport standards and the requirements of government policy,” the airport said in a statement. A community action group, Communities Against Gatwick Noise and Emissions, has expressed objections over the ongoing development. Meanwhile, councillors are crediting the expansion for the loss of homes and damages to the runway area. The UK government has a deadline of February 27th, 2022, to take action on the Gatwick Airport planning application.
A noise reduction project has been proposed by Gatwick Airport to make certain that the lives of communities affected by the aeroplane noise from its expansion are mitigated. However, the South-East England airport is becoming increasingly alarmed that it may have to purchase over 4,400 residences that are exposed to aircraft noise, which will become unaffordable for Gatwick Airport. The government has a deadline of February 27th, 2022, to act on whether to approve the airport’s planning application, and the Communities Against Gatwick Noise and Emissions action group is fighting the proposal. The proposed purchase of homes affected by the airport’s noise has been labelled as unfair by the airport’s owners. Unfortunately, councillors and communities affected by the development criticised the project for leading to damages to the runway area and homes getting lost. Finally, the airport has offered a cheaper programme to fund up to £26k worth of replacement glazing and noise insulation per home within a 23-mile strip of land stretching between West Sussex, Surrey, and Kent
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