Special report by Jill Stocks
Leeds Bradford Airport are pressing ahead with their long-term transformation plan for the airport with the submission of their latest planning application which seeks to update and vary the current conditions of night-time flying.
The application, which was published on 24 August, looks at updating what the airport describes as the ‘outdated’ conditions that currently govern operations from the airport.
The application looks at three main aspects of the operation of night flying from the airport:
- Converting Air Traffic Movement (ATM) restrictions to a Quota Count System (QCS) incentivising quieter, more environmentally friendly planes at LBA
- Condensing night time hours to 11.30pm to 5.59am to modernise operational hours, bringing the airport in line with other UK airports and more in keeping with standard European flight patterns
- Introducing a Night Noise Insulation Scheme (NNIS) to support the local community
LBA say that the current restrictions on night time flying place them at a disadvantage when competing with other regional airports as most UK airports have an operational night-time period which ends at 6am.
The current restrictions prevent “return flights”, with most airlines operating a return flights system of scheduling flights to and from a base airport for efficiency, meaning that some airlines are less willing to use it as a base for their newest aircraft in favour of using other UK locations. Airport chiefs argue this can mean that the aircraft using LBA are noisier and less efficient than those used from other airports.
It is hoped that by adopting updated restrictions the newer aircraft, with greater passenger capacity and extended flying range, would open up new opportunities in terms of routes and subsequently economic growth as well as improved noise and carbon emissions performance.
Vincent Hodder, CEO, Leeds Bradford Airport, said: “Leeds Bradford Airport is transforming into a modern gateway for Yorkshire and a catalyst for regional growth. Through significant private investment, industry-leading sustainability initiatives and a commitment to supporting local communities, we are building an airport that is fit for the future.
“Today we support thousands of jobs and generate hundreds of millions of pounds for the regional economy. As we deliver our Vision 2030 strategy and LBA:REGEN, that contribution will grow significantly, helping connect Yorkshire’s businesses, people and communities to opportunities across the UK and around the world.
“Modernising operating conditions that were introduced more than three decades ago is an important part of that journey. It enables us to encourage quieter, cleaner aircraft while maintaining robust environmental controls and providing meaningful support for our neighbours.
“This is about creating a stronger, more sustainable and better-connected Yorkshire for the decades ahead, this is not the ‘thousands more night flights’ some would claim. The QCS LBA is applying for is set to match the existing noise footprint. The same noise limits, allocated differently.”
This next phase of development has come as good news to airlines who use the airport. Jet 2 and Ryanair use the airport as one of their major bases, running regular flights to a number of destinations across Europe and beyond.
Steve Heapy, CEO, Jet2, said: “This modernisation is welcome news, both for the regional economy and for local holidaymakers.
“We have been proudly operating from Leeds Bradford Airport since 2003 and our longstanding commitment has never been stronger.”
The plans have also received support from local business organisations.
James Mason, Chief Executive, West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Leeds Bradford Airport is not only a major employer in its own right, but also supports a broader ecosystem of jobs, apprenticeships and skills development across the region.
“Its continued growth and investment create valuable opportunities for local people to build careers in aviation, engineering, hospitality and customer service.
“This exciting next phase of modernisation sends a clear signal of confidence in the region’s potential and will further enhance its appeal as a place to do business, invest and visit.”
Local concerns
Not everyone is happy to support the application though, with the issue once again proving divisive in Horsforth.
A number of residents attended the recent Horsforth Town Council Planning, Licensing and Transport Committee meeting on Thursday, 10 September to have their say about the application.
At the meeting it was decided by the PL&T Committee to take their response and proposed statement, with some minor amendments, to neither oppose or support the application, forward for ratification at the full council meeting on 24 September given significant public interest in the application.
Cllr Aiden Goulden, Chair of the committee, said at the meeting that in essence the initial draft on their response did however cover the main points the council wished to make in relation to the application.
He told those present: “First is the consideration of the benefits the airport does actually bring, supports around 5,000 jobs, contributes about £240 million pounds to the local economy and and LBA do commit themselves to corporate social responsibility.
“They do support a number of good causes locally and there is a commitment, albeit for scope one and two emissions, to net zero. But obviously flights themselves are scope three emissions and don’t fall within that net zero ambition by 2030.
“The suggestion has been that we would like to see them using more sustainable aviation fuel and recognising the Noise Insulation Scheme that is within that application itself with a few requests for condition there, concerns around the impact to the highway network and also looking for further transport improvements to be conditioned.
“I think it has been raised by a number of members of the public here that the noise count per aircraft doesn’t necessarily appear to shift downwards from 2025 to 2030, which is slightly against their state here if they’re looking to encourage airlines to base quieter aircraft at LBA.”
Several local residents have expressed their concerns at the continued development of LBA. Some feel that they have been treated unfairly by LBA for many years.
Angela Medd has lived in Horsforth all her life and is opposed to the new plans which she argues show little consideration for local residents.
Angela said: “The current nighttime and early morning flights are already highly disruptive to our sleep and very difficult to deal with. The 6am flights regularly wake us, and aircraft can also sit on the tarmac beforehand with their engines running, creating additional noise that is clearly audible from our home.
“Any further expansion also seems difficult to reconcile with the urgent need to address air quality and climate change. At a time when we are all being encouraged to reduce emissions and improve air quality, it is difficult to understand how further airport expansion can be justified, particularly when it will inevitably result in additional aircraft movements and associated emissions.
“I am not opposed to the airport operating, but I believe it is already large enough. The airport is located within a residential area, and those of us who live nearby have to deal with the consequences of its operation on a daily basis.
“There needs to be a proper balance between the airport’s commercial interests and the quality of life of the communities living around it.”
Kate Griffiths is also a resident affected by the airport location and told us: “I strongly oppose the airport expansion. The impact of raising passenger numbers and extending flight time hours will be detrimental to my family and the surrounding area.
“We are already awoken very early in the morning with aircraft noise. The effect this has on our family is not insignificant; myself and my husband already wear earplugs, and my children often complain about not being able to settle to sleep.
“The fact that LBA are already flouting the current rules suggest that they will push the limits of any new allowances as they appear unwilling to stick to them.”
GALBA’s view
GALBA, the Group for Action on Leeds Bradford Airport, have also given their views on the proposals.
Members of the group recently attended a protest at the Houses of Parliament joining a number of other groups who are all part of a national movement against airport expansions.
The group outlined their stance on the new planning application in a briefing for Horsforth Town Council saying: “Horsforth is one of the communities most directly affected by Leeds Bradford Airport. Its closeness to the airport and its position in relation to Runway 14 make the impact particularly immediate.
“The effect of aircraft noise is not confined to the inside of people’s houses. Horsforth is a place where people use gardens, parks, playing fields and local green spaces. Those are part of the quality of life that planning policy is meant to protect.
“The planning question should therefore include a simple human one: will these changes make it harder for Horsforth residents to enjoy their homes and the outdoor places that belong to their community?
“Airport growth also affects Horsforth through extra cars, taxis, drop-offs and staff journeys on already busy local roads.
“Horsforth’s six schools educate about 3,500 children and young people. There are also nurseries and early-years settings, and many Horsforth children will be exposed to aircraft noise at home.
“For a child, scientific research shows it can make it difficult to hear a teacher, the lesson pauses or concentration is broken. If aircraft wake a child early in the morning, they may arrive at school tired before lessons have even begun.”
They also gave their views on the proposed Night Noise Insulation Scheme, which LBA say will benefit a number of local households: “The proposed Night-Time Noise Insulation Scheme should be given limited weight in its present form.
“The new proposal changes the eligibility basis and may offer additional measures, but LBA has not supplied the transparent like-for-like comparison needed to establish the extent of any improvement.
“Its formal Noise Assessment promises only a financial contribution towards insulation costs, not payment of the full cost. It does not specify grant ceilings or resident contributions, and its formal NNIS appendix does not expressly include the bedroom air conditioning highlighted in LBA’s publicity. Nor is there a commitment to meet the continuing electricity, maintenance, repair and replacement costs of such equipment.
“Although LBA forecasts about 750 eligible households (around 1,700 people), it has not provided a road-by-road or address-by-address schedule. The Council should require these matters to be resolved and legally secured before attributing significant mitigation value to the scheme.”
GALBA summarised their suggested conclusion for the Town Council by saying: “Horsforth already lives with the airport. The question is not simply whether a technical noise quota can be met. It is what the proposed changes will mean for somebody trying to sleep at 6am, a child trying to concentrate at school, a family talking in the garden, or residents enjoying Hall Park and the town’s playing fields and green spaces.
“Horsforth Town Council should ask for clear local evidence on those everyday effects before supporting any change to the present controls.”
“I’d love to support my local airport…”
By contrast there are also a lot of local people who support the airport’s plans and believe that the ongoing development of the airport can only be beneficial to the local and wider Yorkshire area.
Matthew Wilson-Hirst is a Horsforth resident and regular traveller and would like to be able to use LBA more regularly, something he finds difficult under the current circumstances.
He told us: “As someone who regularly travels to London both to visit friends and family and to connect on to long haul flights, I was dismayed at British Airways’ move to pull out of LBA in 2020 as it meant connectivity with the capital, and its transport hubs from Yorkshire was reduced to the rail services to London via Leeds, which are grossly insufficient and unreliable.
“The current Labour, and outgoing Conservative governments have bleated about restoring parity with the North and South but with such dismal infrastructure around LBA, Yorkshire is simply not investable.
“Flying to London to connect with the capital and onwards to the rest of the world now means a drive to Manchester, which is taking even more people away from Yorkshire.
“Leeds Bradford is in real danger of being obsolete in the coming years as other airports continue to invest in infrastructure and passenger experience. LBA’s owners are clearly trying to reverse this by investing into the airport but with constant opposition surrounding night flights I feel Leeds Bradford Airport is becoming more and more unappealing.
“I’d love to support my local airport however as things stand other regional airports such as Manchester and Newcastle look like far more attractive options for Yorkshire-based travellers.”
Friends of Kirkstall Abbey Park
The Friends of Kirkstall Abbey Park group, which aims to restore and improve the infrastructure and ecological diversity of Kirkstall Abbey Park, is formally objecting to the proposed changes to flights at Leeds Bradford Airport.
A statement released this week on social media said: “We believe this proposal will hugely increase flights and day flights and will negatively impact the park and its community.”
Planning
- You can read the full planning application and view all documents related to it here and make a comment on the application via the Leeds City Council planning application portal. Comments can be made until Wednesday, September 30.
The LBA application will be discussed at the Horsforth Town Council Full Council meeting at the Community Centre on The Green at 7pm on Thursday, 24 September when the Town Council will finalise its position and vote on a statement to be submitted for City Council consideration in relation to the application. Members of the public are permitted to attend the meeting.