Noise action plan released
05.07.09
Noise pollution caused by Newcastle Airport has been revealed for the first time, the Journal reports. Hundreds of people living near the airport are caused ‘significant annoyance’ on a daily basis. However, none of them are entitled to compensation or special insulation because the noise levels are not high enough for them to qualify.
The airport has released its first draft Noise Action Plan, in which it maps out the areas worst hit by the sound of passing planes and outlines the work being done to reduce its impact. In the document the airport says that it is one of the least noise polluting in the UK. The 5 year plan will now go out for a 16 week consultation, before being submitted to the Government as required by the European Union’s Environmental Noise Directive.
The Government requires all airports to offer households subjected to high levels of noise – 69 decibels or more – assistance with the cost of relocating. There are no homes exposed to this levels in the areas surrounding Newcastle Airport, with flight paths carefully planned to minimise disruption.
However, the Government also states 57 decibels is the degree of daytime noise that marks ‘the onset of significant community annoyance’ and the airport's noise action plan reveals there are pockets of people living in neighbourhoods that experience levels of more than 60 decibels. Over the course of a 24 hour period, an estimated 700 dwellings occupied by 1400 people are affected in areas including Hazelrigg, Heddon on the Wall and Darras Hall.
Average noise levels vary during the course of the day, depending on the number of flights. The report states that between 07:00 and 19:00 there are 46 departures and 41 arrivals, with 900 household – 1800 people - experiencing noise over the 57 decibel threshold. Between 19:00 - 23:00, there are 5 departures and 14 arrivals, with 800 dwellings affected by these levels and 850 around 50 affected between 23:00 - 07:00, when there are 14 departures and 10 arrivals.
The consultation period will end on October 21 and the final Noise Action Plan will be submitted to the Secretary of State by November 30. It will be reviewed every five years.
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