Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Head of Environmental & Community Health Services, the Head of Planning Services and the Head of Environmental Management on the details of the National Air Traffic Service’s proposals to change the use of terminal control north airspace.

Authorised the Director of Environmental and Community Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Finance and Environment, to respond to the proposal by the National Air Traffic Service (NATs) to change the use of terminal control north, an area of airspace extending from London to Huntingdon.

Consideration was given to a report by the Heads of Environmental & Community Health Services, of Planning Services and of Environmental Management (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which described the key elements of a proposal by the National Air Traffic Service (NATs) to change the use of terminal control north, an area of airspace extending from London to Huntingdon.

By way of background, Members were advised that Luton and Stansted airports currently shared two holds in the vicinity of Royston and Sudbury. With the continued growth in air traffic, NATs had proposed that the current holds be relocated to new airspace and a new third hold created, which would result in two holds dedicated to Stansted and one for Luton.  It was explained that the proposed new hold for Luton would lead to a number of aircraft stacking over the south of the district. 

In reviewing the issues involved, Executive Councillors questioned the need to change existing holds and expressed the view that their retention, together with the creation of an additional new hold would better address the issues identified. Whilst discussing NATs proposals, Members expressed general concern about the impact of noise from aircraft stacking, the threat to tranquillity from noise and visual intrusion and the general detriment to the environment and well-being of the populations in rural areas.

Having raised concerns over NATs failure to take into account the population growth factor predicted for Cambridgeshire and the potential effects from the growth of air traffic, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

that the Director of Environmental and Community Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Finance and Environment, be authorised to respond to the consultation along the lines described in paragraphs 4.1 - 4.3 of the report now submitted.