Agenda item

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director – Environment responding to the invitation from Peel Airports Ltd for the Council to comment on the Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) Draft Masterplan that had now been published for public consultation.

            It was noted that the Department for Transport had asked airports to prepare Masterplans to 2030 showing how proposals for airport expansion could be achieved. The implications of this Masterplan for Halton were outlined in the report for consideration. In addition, Mr Peter Nears and Mr Robin Tudor, representatives of LJLA, attended the meeting to discuss the implications and answer Board Members’ queries.

            Issues discussed included the following:

• the significant growth in services to Europe and America;
• the significant growth in the catchment area of people using the airport;
• implications in terms of access, the plan for an Eastern access transport corridor and the impact of this in terms of the second Mersey crossing;
• the expansion of the coastal park;
• actions taken in respect of carbon off-setting;
• increased noise and pollution;
• possible expansion of the Sound Insulation Grant Scheme;
• confirmation that risk assessment work had been undertaken by an external body;
• the increase in the volume of approaching aircraft, which had led to a perception that flight paths had changed, and the fact that this could not be re-aligned; and
• workforce numbers and the anticipated impact on the economic infrastructure of the area; for example by the introduction of new hotels and car parking facilities.

Mr Nears confirmed that the second Mersey Crossing could be made a more prominent part of the access strategy. In addition, it was stated that developments taking place in the Wirral would not result in the re-routing of flight paths over Halton.

Mr Nears and Mr Tudor were thanked for attending the meeting, and a slightly amended recommended Council response was tabled for consideration:

RESOLVED: That the following Recommended Response to the Draft Masterplan consultation be agreed and conveyed to Peel Airports Ltd:

1.                  The Council welcomes the increased job opportunities and business development opportunities that will be brought to Halton and the wider sub region as a result of the proposed expansion of the Airport.

2.                  If highway capacity studies show a need for the construction of an Eastern Access Transport Corridor, and this is essential to the expansion of the airport, then such a solution is supported in principle.  However, although the shortest (and cheapest) Option SA2 is supported, Option SA3 would be preferred as it has advantages for creating a direct link between the proposed Mersey Multi Modal Gateway (rail freight park at Ditton) and the strategic road networks.  Option SA4, although also creating such a link to the strategic road network, is opposed on the basis that the route would severely restrict development of the rail freight park by cutting across land allocated for it in the Halton Unitary Development Plan.

3.                  The Council is concerned about the predicted increase in noise levels shown by the ‘low community annoyance’ noise contour extending over parts of Runcorn, and the ‘moderate levels of annoyance’ contour extending over Hale Village and the Primary School, and would wish to discuss how this can be mitigated against with the Airport Company before the final Masterplan is produced.

4.                  The Council is also concerned about the potential for increased night-time air noise, and the airport is urged to calculate night-time noise contours and share with this Authority so that the impact of aircraft movements at night can be measured before the final Masterplan is produced.

5.                  The airport is urged to do all it can to ensure that the operation of aircraft using the airport during approach, take off and landing minimises the noise levels expected and to offer noise mitigation grants to a wider number of affected properties including those affected by ‘low community annoyance’.

6.                  The Council accepts the case for an extension to the runway on land within Halton in the direction of Hale as necessary for the expansion of the airport to encourage more routes and cargo business.  It also accepts that Dungeon Lane will have to be diverted to allow for this extension.  As this is currently open countryside and protected by Green Belt policy, then the boundary treatment and landscaping will have to be carefully considered to minimise visual impact, reduce noise and ensure airport security.

7.                  The Council welcomes the extension of the coastal park into Halton, but wishes to ensure that the airport contributes to an enhancement of the Mersey Way and Trans-Pennine Trail onwards around the coast of Widnes, to complement the coastal park works.

8.                  The Council is concerned about the possible extension of the Public Safety Zone (PSZ) over Hale, as a result of the runway extension and increase in flights, as it would restrict development and thereby blight parts of the village.  It is also concerned about any increase in risk to businesses that are classified as ‘hazardous installations’ from increased aircraft movements.  The airport is therefore urged to complete the full risk assessments as soon as possible so that the impact on the PSZ extent and any increased risk to hazardous installations can be assessed, before the final Masterplan is produced.

9.                  The Council supports the proposals to increase public transport trips to the airport, and the parking strategy that would prevent privately operated airport car parks in order to encourage public transport use.  However, the bus links to both Widnes and Runcorn must be considered for improvement, not just for passengers but for new employees as a result of the forecast expanded job opportunities.

10.             The recognition in the Masterplan that rail passenger services using the Halton Curve should be re-introduced to enable direct rail connections to Chester and North Wales is also supported.

11.             The Masterplan’s acknowledgment of the benefits of improved road linkages, which will arise as a consequence of the construction of the Mersey Gateway, is noted. Peel Holdings Ltd is requested to enter into a dialogue with Halton Borough Council regarding a financial contribution towards the planning and procurement of the Mersey Gateway.

12.             The Airport Company should enter into a legal agreement with the Council to ensure that any adverse impacts upon the Borough’s environment are adequately mitigated against.