Issue - meetings

The Committee received applications for full planning permission for an Aircraft Engine Ground Running Enclosure and supporting infrastructure works, including a new taxiway link and other associated works. 

The Committee noted the amendment referenced in the amendment sheet.

Des Taylor from Marshal Aerospace addressed the Committee in support of the application.

The Committee made the following comments in response to the report.

     i.        Referred to the PowerPoint slide which illustrated noise contouring and asked if this noise prediction was based upon favourable wind conditions.

    ii.        Asked if the representations received were from surrounding residents or businesses. Raised concern about the impact of noise on residents especially on Saturdays when more people were likely to be at home.

   iii.        Stated that the proposed location of the new Ground Run Enclosure meant that some streets would be more adversely impacted by noise than others. The worst affected streets contained mainly Local Authority housing, suggested this was unfair given that the City Council were contributing to making the decision to move the site.

  iv.        Asked whether planes would be tested outside the Ground Run Enclosure when the wind conditions were unfavourable. If this was the case, asked if a condition could be put in place to stop planes being tested outside.

In response to Members’ questions the Principal Planner said the following:

     i.        Highlighted that the degree of noise would be impacted by the wind direction. The noise contouring image showed the levels when wind conditions were down wind and favourable.

    ii.        Confirmed that all the representations received were from residents apart from one.

   iii.        Nuttings Road and Uphall Road were the closest residential roads to the proposed Ground Run Enclosure location. The site already experienced noise from the current location; the scale of change would be approximately a 5 decibel increase.

  iv.        Referred to page 64 of the agenda (proposed condition 13) and confirmed that in exceptional circumstances planes would be tested outside of the Ground Run Enclosure. The planning condition required the precise details of the arrangements for testing aircrafts outside to be submitted to the planning authority to be determined separately. Agreed when questioned by Members that if the information to discharge this condition was not considered acceptable, because of adverse impacts on residential amenity, it could be refused

The Committee:

Resolved unanimously to grant the application for planning permission in accordance with the officer recommendation, for the reasons set out in the officer report, and subject to the conditions recommended by the officers.