Airport May 'Noise Insulate' 700 Homes

It has emerged that George Best Belfast City Airport (BCA) may be forced to soundproof up to 700 homes in the vicinity to reduce the impact of aircraft engine noise.

That's according to specialist noise consultants employed by the DoE Planning Service who are currently considering a planning application by the airport for a 600 metre extension to the existing runway.

The consultancy employed by the BCA, Bureau Veritas, considered that any increase over the current limit will require "further mitigation", which would mean a bigger investment.

This is one possible resolution after a noise study in September 2008 showed an increment in the extent of the 57 dBA (decibels) noise "control" contour.

However, the supply of sound isolation for the 700 properties that are within the 60 decibels contour will cost hundreds of thousands of pounds to the BCA.

Meanwhile, the residents' pressure group, Belfast City Airport Watch is continuing its campaign against the ruway extension.

They have again highlighted the fact that any increase in activity will have an adverse environmental impact.

The low cost airline Ryanair - which has a base at the airport - defended the project in a letter to Northern Ireland's First and Deputy First Ministers, arguing that the expansion would offer a "massive stimulant to economic development and job creation" in Belfast.

Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary said last February that he was "fairly satisfied" with the proposal for a longer runway at the facility.

He said he believed the runway will be extended, despite growing opposition to the move.

But the NI Consumer Council has expressed concerns about the viability of new routes. "To date we have not seen any convincing evidence produced by BCA which supports the assertion that an expansion in the number of routes operating from the airport would prove economically sustainable in the long-term,'' said the watchdog in a submission to the Planning Service.

Now, it has emerged that the Stormont Environment Minister has been asked by Belfast City Airport Watch to reject the runway extension plan entirely, because of the shock results of a major survey on the impact of aircraft noise.

Among other figures, the survey revealed that more than three-quarters (78%) of the 412 individuals surveyed said that aircraft noise affected their sleep, in sevveral areas in the east and south Belfast and in nearby Holywood.

Fiona McKinley, a spokesperson for Belfast City Airport Watch, said the results should provide a 'wake-up' call for the Environment Minister.

"The message from the streets of east and south Belfast and from Holywood is clear – people have had enough," said Ms McKinley.

See: Ryanair Boss 'Rejects' Belfast City Runway Inquiry

See: Stormont Urged To Debate City Airport Runway Plan

See: City Airport Extension Plan Flies Into Trouble

(AC/BMcC)