London City airport expansion plans rejected by Newham – it will appeal to the GLA
London City airport is considering next steps after its local council, Newham, rejected its expansion plans. The airport wants to raise annual passenger numbers from 6.5 million to 9 million by extending the operating hours on Saturdays, until 6.30pm. There would also be 3 additional early morning flights on weekdays. Concerns were raised over increased noise pollution and emissions if extra flights were allowed. Flights are not allowed from 12.30pm Saturdays to 12.30pm Sundays to provide respite for nearby residents under a long-standing curfew. The airport says it needs more flights to cope with post-Covid passenger demand, with more destinations, especially on Saturdays. The council considers that the extra flights would “result in a materially new and substantial harm” through noise pollution. The application will now be referred to the Greater London Authority for a final decision. John Stewart, of HACAN East said “People value the weekend break from the noise. It was brought in because people live so close to the airport. Newham Council was right to reject the proposal to eat into it.”
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London City airport expansion plans rejected
By Phil Davies (Travel Weekly)
July 11, 2023
London City airport is considering next steps after its local council rejected expansion plans.
A bid to raise annual passenger numbers from 6.5 million to nine million by extending the operating hours of the docklands airport was blocked by Newham Council.
Concerns were raised over increased noise pollution and emissions if extra flights were allowed.
The airport had sought to extend its operating hours on Saturdays to allow take-offs and landing up until 6.30pm, alongside three additional early morning flights on weekdays.
Flights are not allowed from 12.30pm Saturdays to 12.30pm Sundays to provide respite for nearby residents under a long-standing curfew.
The airport argued extended hours was key to incentivising airlines to speed up investment in new generation aircraft that are quieter on departure, and that it would help meet heightened post-Covid passenger demand.
Airport chief executive Robert Sinclair, speaking in support of the application, was reported by the London Evening Standard to have said: “In formulating these proposals, we have worked incredibly hard and thought incredibly hard about achieving the right balance, recognising the interests of local residents and how we can improve the environmental impact of our operations, in particular noise and emissions.”
He added: “Extending the operating period on Saturday afternoons will allow our airlines to serve the very significant demand for travel on weekends, with flights leaving and returning on the same day, giving more choice and more destinations.”
But councillors rejected the proposals after hearing that the introduction of extra flights would “result in a materially new and substantial harm” through noise pollution.
Members of the council’s strategic development committee voted against the airport’s plans.
Nine neighbouring councils and four MPs for surrounding areas had also opposed the proposals.
The application will now be referred to the Greater London Authority for a final decision.
A Newham Council spokesperson said that the refusal “reflects the council’s continued concerns over the noise and environmental impact of the airport on those living nearby. These concerns were shared by a number of other boroughs who also submitted objections to the proposals.”
A spokesperson for the airport said it was “disappointed” by the decision.
They said: “Our proposals will create almost 2,200 jobs at the airport, support an additional 2,300 London jobs through tourism and increased business productivity; contribute an additional £702 million in gross value added to London’s economy and improve connectivity for passengers.
“Our proposals include mo more flights than are currently permitted and – a UK airport first – a commitment that only cleaner, quieter, new generation aircraft will be allowed to fly in any extended periods.
“We firmly believe in our proposals, which are carefully balanced and make best use of our infrastructure. We are actively considering next steps.”
https://travelweekly.co.uk/news/air/london-city-airport-expansion-plans-rejected
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London City airport to appeal against decision to block expansion
By Samantha Mayling (Travel Weekly)
July 12, 2023
London City airport will appeal against the decision made by Newham Council to refuse the airport’s planning application to increase passenger numbers and amend its opening hours.
The airport submitted its plans in December 2022 to increase its annual passenger cap from 6.5 million to nine million; to add three more flights in the first half hour of operations during the week and fly on Saturday afternoon until 6:30pm (7:30pm in summer) – with no increase to the annual number of flights, beyond what is currently permitted.
It said that only cleaner, quieter, new-generation aircraft would be allowed to fly in any extended periods.
The airport expected the proposals would create 4,500 additional jobs; contribute an additional £702 million in Gross Value Added to London’s economy and enable airlines to serve new routes.
Newham Council’s strategic development committee turned down the plan because of concerns about the impact of noise on local residents from three additional morning and Saturday afternoon flights.
The airport said it “considers that this was the wrong decision and did not properly balance the limited impacts with the very significant benefits of the proposals, particularly in the context of government policy, including making best-use of existing runway capacity”.
Chief executive Robert Sinclair said: “We are disappointed with Newham Council’s refusal of our proposals that will deliver significant benefits to our local community – including new jobs, more choice of holiday destinations for passengers and better local transport connections.
“We have worked incredibly hard to develop proposals that genuinely reflect concerns raised, sought feedback from our local community and worked closely with the council’s planning officers.
“Their views are built into our proposals to ensure that we addressed appropriate concerns and continue to be a good neighbour and local employer.
“If the appeal can be determined shortly, our airlines will be able to progress re-fleeting to cleaner, quieter, new generation aircraft sooner; delivering more choice for passengers, more jobs for local people and reducing the overall noise impact as early as next summer.”
A statement from the council said: “(On Monday July 10) the strategic development committee of Newham Council voted unanimously to reject London City airport’s application to extend its operating hours.
“The refusal reflects the council’s continued concerns over the noise and environmental impact of the airport on those living nearby. These concerns were shared by a number of other boroughs who also submitted objections to the proposals.
“The application will now be referred to the GLA [Greater London Authority]. The committee’s decision upholds the recommendation made by planning officers who assessed these environmental considerations against London City airport’s case for the proposal, which emphasised its economic benefits.”
Lloyd Johnson, chairman of Newham Chamber of Commerce, said: “London City Airport’s proposals will bring more business, jobs and investment to Newham, supporting the ongoing regeneration of the Royal Docks and helping level-up Newham with additional economic activity.”
Tom Stoddart, chief executive of British Airways CityFlyer, added: “The proposals will improve choice and connections for our customers, as well as create considerable employment opportunities and support economic growth in local areas.
“The proposed extended Saturday afternoon operating hours will also support the investment into new, more fuel-efficient and quieter aircraft, which can help benefit the local community.”
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LONDON CITY EXPANSION PLANS REJECTED
11.7.2023 (Hacan East press release)
London City Airport has been refused permission to expand. Newham Council, the planning authority, turned down the airport’s planning application yesterday. Councillors on the Strategic Development Committee voted unanimously to reject it.
London City had sought permission to increase annual passenger numbers from 6.5 million to 9 million, operate more early morning flights, and fly on Saturday afternoon. Currently no flights are permitted between 12.30pm on Saturday and 12.30pm Sunday in order to give residents a break from the noise. This extra noise at weekends was the main reason the council gave for refusing the application.
John Stewart, chair of HACAN East, which gives a voice to residents impacted by the airport, welcomed the decision: “People value the weekend break from the noise. It was brought in because people live so close to the airport. Newham Council was right to reject the proposal to eat into it.”
It is uncertain what the airport will do now. If could appeal to the Government to ‘call in’ the proposal. If the Government agreed to do so, there would be a Public Inquiry.
ENDS
John Stewart on 07957385650
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London City airport to appeal against decision to block expansion
By Samantha Mayling (Travel Weekly)
July 12, 2023
London City airport will appeal against the decision made by Newham Council to refuse the airport’s planning application to increase passenger numbers and amend its opening hours.
The airport submitted its plans in December 2022 to increase its annual passenger cap from 6.5 million to nine million; to add three more flights in the first half hour of operations during the week and fly on Saturday afternoon until 6:30pm (7:30pm in summer) – with no increase to the annual number of flights, beyond what is currently permitted.
It said that only cleaner, quieter, new-generation aircraft would be allowed to fly in any extended periods.
The airport expected the proposals would create 4,500 additional jobs; contribute an additional £702 million in Gross Value Added to London’s economy and enable airlines to serve new routes.
Newham Council’s strategic development committee turned down the plan because of concerns about the impact of noise on local residents from three additional morning and Saturday afternoon flights.
The airport said it “considers that this was the wrong decision and did not properly balance the limited impacts with the very significant benefits of the proposals, particularly in the context of government policy, including making best-use of existing runway capacity”.
Chief executive Robert Sinclair said: “We are disappointed with Newham Council’s refusal of our proposals that will deliver significant benefits to our local community – including new jobs, more choice of holiday destinations for passengers and better local transport connections.
“We have worked incredibly hard to develop proposals that genuinely reflect concerns raised, sought feedback from our local community and worked closely with the council’s planning officers.
“Their views are built into our proposals to ensure that we addressed appropriate concerns and continue to be a good neighbour and local employer.
“If the appeal can be determined shortly, our airlines will be able to progress re-fleeting to cleaner, quieter, new generation aircraft sooner; delivering more choice for passengers, more jobs for local people and reducing the overall noise impact as early as next summer.”
A statement from the council said: “(On Monday July 10) the strategic development committee of Newham Council voted unanimously to reject London City airport’s application to extend its operating hours.
“The refusal reflects the council’s continued concerns over the noise and environmental impact of the airport on those living nearby. These concerns were shared by a number of other boroughs who also submitted objections to the proposals.
“The application will now be referred to the GLA [Greater London Authority]. The committee’s decision upholds the recommendation made by planning officers who assessed these environmental considerations against London City airport’s case for the proposal, which emphasised its economic benefits.”
Lloyd Johnson, chairman of Newham Chamber of Commerce, said: “London City Airport’s proposals will bring more business, jobs and investment to Newham, supporting the ongoing regeneration of the Royal Docks and helping level-up Newham with additional economic activity.”
Tom Stoddart, chief executive of British Airways CityFlyer, added: “The proposals will improve choice and connections for our customers, as well as create considerable employment opportunities and support economic growth in local areas.
“The proposed extended Saturday afternoon operating hours will also support the investment into new, more fuel-efficient and quieter aircraft, which can help benefit the local community.”
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See earlier:
London City Airport “consulting” on extra flights and extended operating hours at weekends
Newham Council, the planning authority for London City airport, formally started consulting on its expansion proposals on 15th February. It will last until 17th March. Newham’s Strategic Development Committee will then later this year decide whether or not to approve the proposals. The detailed application is on Newham’s website It is a very long consultation with many dozen documents, only available online and hard to plough through. Local campaign group, HACAN East summarise the key points as an extra 6 – 7 hours flying on Saturdays; an extra 2.5 million passengers a year using to the airport; and extra early morning flights. At present no flights are permitted between 12.30pm on Saturdays and 12.30pm on Sundays. London City proposes for flights on Saturday to end at 6.30pm (7.30pm in summer). It plans to increase passenger numbers from 6.5m to 9m a year. It plans 3 extra flights during the first hour of operation, from 6.30 – 7am. It is not proposing to introduce night flights, or lift the cap of 111,000 allowed to use the airport each year. HACAN East is arranging meetings for local people to find out more.
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