Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence and declarations of interest.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Reeve, Luck and Dean.

To consider the minutes of the previous meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 24 February 2023 were approved as a correct record.

To consider a response to Government’s Night-Time Noise Abatement Objectives for the Designated Airports from October 2025.

The Director of Planning summarised his report and the appendix which included proposed responses to the questionnaire as detailed in blue text. He summarised significant changes such that freight was now included and highlighted the significant use of the phrase “where possible”.

Discussion took place around:

• The night-time noise abatement objective applying to all three designated airports (Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted).
• The Council’s night flight statement.
• The need to distinguish between cargo and mail.
• The need for a better understanding of technical issues in future.
• The need for better coordination in future between the three bodies where Councillors are represented.
• The need to revisit the Terms of Reference for STAAP.
• The noise differentials between passenger planes “gliding in” over Thaxted to land in the early hours as opposed to the noise generated by cargo planes both taking off and landing.
• The need to look at MAG data on departures.

The Director of Planning then took Members through each recommended response by paragraphs:

Para 19: Members confirmed that they disagreed with the statement.

Para 20: Members agreed that the proposed last paragraph would be expanded to include the fact that UDC’s Cabinet had shown support for a complete ban on night flights at Stansted.

Para 21: Members agreed that alternative wording would be preferable for the night-time noise abatement objective.

Para 22: Members requested that additional references should be made in the response to medical evidence in the form of studies undertaken to link night-time noise exposure and negative health impacts.

Para 23: Members were satisfied with the response but made the point that the GIS mapping system could be utilised in the autumn to establish how many listed buildings were on the flight paths.

Para 24: Members requested that the term “affected areas” be expanded to include those areas located within flightpaths, the airport environs and other affected areas. In addition there should be some reference made to heritage and town planning controls.

Para 25: Members supported the response and accepted that fuller consultation would take place in October 2023.

The Director of Planning undertook to revise the responses and ensure that the Leader was presented with the executive decision well-ahead of the deadline of 9 May 2023. All were in favour.

There was further discussion relating to:

• The need for greater awareness in respect of the benefits of freight economics from MAG.
• The effects that economic benefits could have on health.
• The relatively low charges relating to large planes; examples were quoted of a “quiet” 747 being charged £540 and a “noisy” 747 being charged £1,800 set against the charges to passengers.

In response to a question, the Chair confirmed that the target date for the next STAAP meeting would be mid-August, as further consultation was required around this time.

Meeting ended at 11:15 am.