In March, the Planning Committee approved proposals for three new aircraft hangars to be built near the Airport’s radar tower, and opposite Les Ormes’ self-catering accommodation at the top of Mont à la Brune.
However, work cannot begin on the £10 million investment until a UK planning inspector has heard an appeal lodged by Robert McAllister, who lives nearby. The appeal is due to be heard next month.
‘The decision to delay the hangar application due to the planning appeal is having an impact on the project.
‘Not only has the process added costs to the project, through increased fees and technical advisers, but it is also creating delays in the mobilisation of the project for which there is considerable demand,’ a spokesman for Ports of Jersey said.
The issue of potential increased noise nuisance for Airport neighbours dominated both Planning Committee hearings for the application. The first, in February, was deferred for a month after the committee requested more information from local and UK noise experts. After considering reports and hearing more evidence in March, the committee gave its unanimous approval.
Nonetheless, Mr McAllister, who spoke against the application on both occasions, claims the Airport is not following EU and UK ‘best practice’ procedures regarding airfield noise management.
‘Ports of Jersey have not with any degree of certainty proven the current noise environment in the application, let alone whether there will be any further impact from this new hangar development,’ he said.
‘While the absence of a UK standard airfield noise-management policy means that they are producing more noise than they should. So I have appealed against the permit in the hope of having conditions attached to the permit to reflect UK best practice.’
In response, Ports of Jersey say the issue of noise is a complex subject and factors are very specific to every airport, its volumes and types of aircraft traffic as well as local environmental factors.
Nonetheless, the spokesman added, they have undertaken various measures, including introducing revised approach and take-off procedures, to minimise noise levels which were consistent with best-practice standards.
In addition, he said the hangar application included noise mitigation measures such as acoustic fences and landscaping embankments, all of which met with approval from the Planning Department, Planning Committee and Environmental Health in March.
The appeal hearing is due to be heard by Philip Staddon on 4 July, beginning at 11 am in the Jersey Tribunal Services offices in The Parade.
