RESIDENTS GROUP WINS CONCESSION AT CITY AIRPORT EXPANSION PUBLIC INQUIRY

PRESS RELEASE

5 APRIL 2016

For Immediate Release

 RESIDENTS GROUP WINS CONCESSION AT CITY AIRPORT EXPANSION PUBLIC INQUIRY

On the last day of the Public Inquiry into London City Airport’s expansion plan, local residents group HACAN East won an important concession, requiring Newham Council to hold a council meeting each year to explain how it is overseeing City Airport’s commitment to provide sound insulation for local residents, if the plans are approved.

John Stewart, Chair of HACAN East, said: ”This is an important concession. In the past, Newham Council has not ensured that City Airport fulfilled all its promises to provide agreed insulation for local people.”

The Inquiry closed on 5 April and the result is expected to be known in the summer [1]. The Planning Inspector will make a recommendation to the Government, who will make a final decision to either grant or refuse permission for the Airport to expand.

If City Airport is allowed to expand, it will build a new taxiway to allow larger planes to use the airport. HACAN East is opposed to the expansion, but welcomed the decision that, if approval is granted, Newham Council will be held publicly accountable for enforcing City Airports commitments to provide better sound insulation for residents.

 Ends.

Notes:

[1] HACAN East’s closing statement to the Inquiry. http://static1.squarespace.com/static/56507de4e4b018da2a5ce870/t/5703a618ab48deec980d1034/1459856921310/HACAN+East+Closing+Statement.pdf

For more information

Rob Barnstone: robert.barnstone@outlook.com; 07806 947050

John Stewart: johnstewart2@btconnect.com; 020 7737 6641

 

City Airport Public Inquiry: HACAN East calls for insulation to match the best in Europe

PRESS RELEASE

 22 MARCH 2016

 For Immediate Release

City Airport Public Inquiry: HACAN East calls for insulation to match the best in Europe

HACAN East, the resident-led group opposing expansion of London City Airport called for insulation offered by City Airport to match the best in Europe.  The call came during the opening week of the Public Inquiry into the airport’s expansion plans.

John Stewart, Chair of HACAN East, said: "We are calling for City Airport to offer compensation for residents that match the levels offered by the best airports in Europe. If expansion goes ahead the number of people overflown by City Airport planes will be higher than that of any airport in the UK, other than Heathrow and Manchester.  Airports like Frankfurt or Charles de Gaulle in Paris are twice as generous with the insulation schemes offered to residents as London City,"

City Airport wants to enlarge the airport to allow larger aircraft to use it.  Newham Council, the planning authority, gave permission for the airport to expand in February 2015, but this was overturned by Boris Johnson, London’s mayor, on noise grounds the following month. The airport appealed against the Mayor’s decision.  The result is this public inquiry.  

Lawyers for the Mayor argued in the opening week of the Inquiry that City Airport should compensate more people than it is prepared to do in the event of expansion happening.

HACAN East remains firmly opposed to the expansion.

The Inquiry is expected to last until April 7.

ENDS.

 

For more information:

Robert Barnstone - robert.barnstone@outlook.com; 07806 947050