Farnborough Airport - Planning Application for variation of conditions to increase flights and more - deadline for response Sunday 17th December

Farnborough Airport has submitted an application to Rushmoor Borough Council to change the conditions of their existing planning approval on how the airport can operate.

The application has considerable consequences for areas surrounding the airport, for some distance and flight corridors, therefore it is important for residents of Seale & Sands to understand the effects these changes will have on our village.

Noise is probably the most notable disruption caused to residents by aircraft from Farnborough Airport (FAL). The airport is seeking to increase the aircraft movements from 50,000 to 70,000 per year. There are a couple of points to consider regarding this variation: 1 - currently, aircraft movements are circa 33,000 per year where 8,900 of those are at the weekend (the maximum allowable movements at the weekend) so we are not yet experiencing the full extent of what is permissible. 2 - the variation seeks to increase the weekend movements to 18,900, more than doubling the number of flights currently experienced at the weekend.

FAL, are also looking to increase a size category of aircraft from 50,000-80,000kg to 55,000-80,000kg (essentially 737 size aircraft with capacity to carry 85-215 people) and increase the number of movements from 1500 to 2100 annually and increase the weekend movements from 270 to 570 - this is on top of the 18,900 other movements on weekends. It is not fully clear what the impact of changing the weight category will be; FAL suggest this will allow for quieter aircraft however this is unproven and would depend on whether any new approval includes specific conditions limiting noise from this category. What is clear is there will be more disruption due to an increase in movements.

It should also be considered that FAL have permission for ‘non-reportable flights’, essentially these aircraft movements do not count within the figures above but have an effect on us nevertheless.

They are also looking to change how risk to the public by aircraft operations ie. Flight movements, is determined.

During the pre-application consultation FAL considered extending their operating hours, though this has been dropped from the application.

There are over 70 documents associated with this application, many of which are technical (noise monitoring, socio-economic benefits, air quality, bio-diversity impact and more). The Parish Council has decided that we are not in a position to challenge these technical details associated with the application and how FAL represent them, though there are other councils and bodies that have.

If you are disturbed by the aircraft movements currently, it is fair to say this change will increase the disturbance caused and consideration should also be given to additional pollution we may experience.

The Parish Council encourages you to respond to this application and you have until Sunday 17th December to do so.

Access the documents here and use the application number in the search bar: 23/00794/REVPP