Ports of Jersey has come up with a £10 million scheme to attract more business by building three hangars for local and visiting planes near the radar tower opposite Les Ormes self-catering accommodation, and close to houses at the top of Mont á la Brune.
Objectors, including the Bosdet Foundation which runs Les Ormes, told the Planning Committee when it considered the application this week that while they expect to live with aircraft noise, they nonetheless have concerns about increased activity if the hangars are built.
Architect Carlo Riva, speaking for the foundation, said that guests who stay at Les Ormes list the aircraft noise in comments on Trip Advisor. But he added that none said it would deter them from returning.
He said: ‘We are totally for these proposals and the investment in the Airport but our concern is only to do with an increase in noise that could be created as a result of this application.’
Having listened to the objectors and Ports representatives, led by chief executive Doug Bannister, the committee decided to defer its decision for four weeks so both parties could get together to reach an agreement on acceptable noise levels.
Chairwoman Constable Juliette Gallichan said: ‘I came here most concerned about the visual impact [of the hangars] and the noise. Having seen the presentations my concerns about the visual impact are gone almost totally but my concerns about noise impact have grown.’
Planning director Peter Le Gresley told the JEP yesterday that Ports have been told to meet residents, and also their noise advisor has to consult UK experts commissioned by the Bosdet Foundation and Environmental Health officers.
He said: ‘We have asked Ports to give us an agreement statement of common ground as a sample noise assessment criteria on which the Planning Committee can base its assessment.’
Jersey is the fifth busiest airport in the British Isles for corporate aviation traffic with the majority coming from the finance industry.
Lee McConnell, Ports corporate and general aviation development manager told the committee that some businesses and high-net worth individuals were being deterred from flying into Jersey because of a shortage of hangar space.
When asked if the four-week delay would cause a problem for Ports business expansion plans, chief executive Doug Bannister said: ‘We can manage another month but it it runs beyond a month we could get into a challenge with the people we are talking with.’
Mr McConnell said yesterday that Ports would arrange a meeting with Environmental Health and other parties, to discuss what noise mitigation measures are needed to present to the Planning Committee for the meeting on 15 March.
