DISTRICT COUNCIL

Meeting: Cabinet Executive

Date: 28 th April 2006

Subject: East Airport – Draft Master Plan Consultation

Report of: Head of Planning and Environmental Health Services

Status: Public

1. Purpose of Report

1.1 To agree the Council’s comments on the consultation exercise currently being undertaken by Nottingham Airport (from this point referred to as NEMA) concerning its Draft Master Plan.

2. Recommendation

2.1 That Nottingham East Midlands Airport (NEMA)be informed that Blaby District Council has no objections, in principle, to its Draft Master Plan. However;

i) It notes that there is potential for increases in traffic on both the M1 and M69 motorways where they run through the District of Blaby and therefore it urges NEMA to implement its proposals for encouraging access by sustainable forms of transport early in the Draft Master Plan period, rather than by 2016. ii) Further consideration should be given to replacing the shuttle bus service between the Airport and Parkway station with a fixed light rail link. In the short - medium term. iii) Consideration should be given to producing a Master Plan annual monitoring report as well as the formal 5 yearly review.

3. Reason for Decision Recommended

3.1 The proposals of the Draft Master Plan will not have any direct adverse effect on the District, indeed it may have a beneficial effect by creating new opportunities for local businesses. One potential impact could be increased traffic and pollution on the motorway network. It is therefore appropriate to seek encouragement of sustainable forms of transport at the earliest opportunity and monitor its progress regularly.

4. Forward Plan

4.1 Forward Plan Reference Number: 03/06 (545)

5. Key Decision

5.1 Yes

6. Matter(s) for Consideration

NEMA Draft Master Plan

6.1 In December 2003 the Government published the Air Transport White Paper (ATWP). This document set out a strategic framework for the development of airport capacity in the UK up to the year 2030. The ATWP stated that airport operators should create (or update) a master plan document that sets out the proposed development of the airport up to the year 2016 in detail. The master plan should also include indicative land use plans for the period from 2016 to 2030. The airport master plan is not a statutory document, nor does it grant planning permission for any development proposed in it.

6.2 NEMA’s Draft Master Plan was issued for consultation in February 2006 and the closing date for receipt of comments is 14 th May 2006. All comments received by NEMA will be considered and, where possible, reflected in the definitive Master Plan (due late 2006)

NEMA Today

6.3 NEMA is currently the 11 th largest Regional Airport in the UK, handling 4.4 million passengers in 2004. The airport is also the UK’s largest airport in terms of pure freight and pure mail (tonnage handled per annum). NEMA state that they have significant opportunities to serve a range of markets all over England as they have one of the largest catchment areas of any airport in the UK with 10.6 million people living within ninety minutes drive time of the airport.

Demand Forecasts

6.4 The ATWP predicts that by 2030 NEMA could potentially be handling 12 – 14 million passengers per annum (mppa). NEMA handled 4.4 million passengers in 2004 and are expecting this to rise to 6.9 million in 2010 and 9.2 million in 2016. In terms of cargo, in 2004 the airport handled 279,000 tonnes, this is predicted to rise to 723,000 tonnes in 2010 and 1,207,000 tonnes in 2016, an increase of 333%. In order to handle all of the extra passengers and cargo the total number of Air Traffic Movements (ATMs) is expected to rise from 83,700 in 2004 to 137,400 in 2016. Night flights would increase by 110% from 16,800 in 2004 to 35,300 in 2016. An increase in the number of car parking spaces at the airport would be needed; this is predicted to rise from 7,500 to 13,800 passenger spaces and from 3,300 to 6,900 staff parking spaces between 2004 and 2016.

6.5 Even with this projected rise in demand and subsequent increase in ATMs NEMA has stated that there are no proposals to alter the current controlled airspace or add any further holding areas (areas where aircraft are held whilst awaiting permission to land).

Facility Requirements and Development Strategy

6.6 NEMA are currently waiting for a decision on a planning application they have submitted to extend their runway by 190 metres. The reasoning for the runway extension is not to handle more aircraft but to enable certain aircraft to increase their payload, use less thrust on take off and allow aircraft to land further down the runway enabling aircraft to fly higher over the town of Kegworth. NEMA has stated that there will not be a need for a second runway in the period to 2016 and that this is unlikely to be the case until late in the period to 2030; this reflects what was set out in the ATWP. This issue will be addressed in further reviews of each document.

6.7 NEMA state that the construction of new apron areas (a paved area for the manoeuvering of aircraft and where aircraft are parked for servicing and the boarding/disembarking of passengers and cargo) will be required in order to expand their passenger and cargo operations. NEMA are planning to contain any development to the year 2016 within their existing boundaries, keeping the environmental costs of development to a minimum, in accordance with Policy T18 of the North West Local Plan (2002).

6.8 According to NEMA the extension and enhancement of the passenger terminal is the most significant development proposal. It is stated that this development will provide a new two-storey frontage to the existing terminal with additional check-in facilities, an enhanced security area, a new departures lounge at the upper level. At the lower level there will be new immigration facilities, a large baggage reclaim hall and a new arrivals area.

6.9 NEMA have stated that there should not be any significant further development at the business park zone of the site. This is in accordance with the Regional Spatial Strategy for the East Midlands (RSS8) which states that any such development should be focused, where possible, in the surrounding urban areas of Nottingham, , and . This could have a positive effect on the District of Blaby as it may encourage the location

of new businesses in the District.

6.10 NEMA expect that further development will be required post 2016 in the form of extended terminal and apron capacity. If cargo operations develop as predicted then it is possible that some development may be required south of the A453. If this extra development is required it will be in accordance with the ATWP.

Managing the Impact

6.11 The ATWP states that although the economic benefits of NEMA are clear and expansion should be permitted, any such expansion would need to be accompanied by stringent controls on the resulting disturbance to neighbouring communities, particularly night noise. NEMA reiterate this fact and have provided details on these measures.

6.12 In 2002 NEMA became the first airport in the UK to be certificated to the ISO14001 environmental management standard. This is the requirements standard against which organisations are assessed to help them minimise how their operations impact on the environment. These requirements are independently assessed and seek improvements in environmental performance.

6.13 The levels of emissions in the local area will increase as the amount of ATMs and surface traffic accessing the site rise, however NEMA states that independent research has shown that air quality will be within Government guidelines up to 2016 and that no dwellings will be subject to emissions above these limits up to the year 2030 unless a second runway is built.

6.14 Perhaps the area of greatest concern for neighbouring communities is the increase in aircraft noise resulting from the rise in ATMs. The ATWP states that due to the airport’s rural location the amount of people within the 57dBA noise contour (the area in which noise levels are likely to cause annoyance) is relatively small, however, the projected growth of the airport would increase this contour to include over 10,000 people. The projected growth in cargo movements also means that a large proportion of the extra flights will be late in the evening or at night.

6.15 In order to provide better noise protection to those closest to the airport, NEMA propose to improve and extend their Sound Insulation Grant Schemes (SIGS) to those that live within the various noise contours. These SIGS range from grants of up to £3,000 for those that experience night noise levels of 55dB and a house purchase scheme for those subjected to the highest levels of noise.

6.16 NEMA also state that advances in technology have reduced the noise from individual aircraft and that aircraft today are typically 20 decibels quieter than those operating 30 years ago. This downward trend however will be offset by the projected increase in air traffic movements from the airport.

Surface Access

6.17 According to NEMA, improving access to the airport by sustainable forms of transport is a priority. The Draft Master Plan includes two targets relating to

sustainable transport that they aim to achieve by 2016. The first of these targets is that 30% of employees will access the airport by means other than single car occupancy. The current percentage of employees accessing the airport other than as sole occupant of a car is 26%. The second target is that 10% of passengers will access the airport by means other than a car. As NEMA have never previously set targets for passenger modal share they do not detail a current percentage. These targets will be monitored as part of the 5 yearly review of the master plan. However, this is seen as being too long between reviews. It is suggested that NEMA should produce an annual monitoring report to supplement the 5 yearly review in order to quickly identify any problems that need to be overcome in order to reach these targets.

6.18 NEMA are proposing to take full advantage of the new East Midlands Parkway train station that is currently under construction (due to open 2007/8). The station will be situated along the Midland Mainline between Loughborough and Long Eaton approximately 2.5 miles from the airport. A shuttle bus is proposed to operate on a 20 minute rotation to and from the airport. The East Midlands Parkway station will provide an improved rail service for travellers from Leicester as currently a traveller would need to alight at Loughborough train station and board an hourly bus service to the Airport. In order to encourage more people to use the parkway station the shuttle bus could be replaced by a fixed light rail link. The Draft Master Plan however, states that this can only be considered a long term option and will rely on high passenger numbers using the parkway station and the provision of a second runway.

6.19 Bus connections from Derby, Nottingham and Loughborough already exist and serve the airport well. NEMA have identified that a good quality public transport link with Leicester is a significant gap in the airport’s public transport infrastructure and so, in partnership with the East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA), Leicestershire County Council and Leicester City Council, NEMA are developing an hourly bus service that runs directly from the city to the airport. This service is due to become operational in September 2006.

Impacts on the District

6.20 The District of Blaby does not lie beneath NEMA’s current flight paths following changes introduced in 2005. Blaby District therefore, will not fall within the forecast 57dBA noise contour and will not be subject to increased levels of air pollution resulting from the growth in ATMs.

6.21 Although the development proposed in the Draft Master Plan will not directly affect Blaby District there are some knock-on affects that may arise from the airport’s expected growth.

6.22 One of the possible effects on the District is that of investment. The Draft Master Plan states that, in accordance with planning policy, there should be no more development at the site that isn’t directly related to airport operations. The preferred locations for development are in or on the edge of the three cities of Leicester, Nottingham and Derby. This could help to stimulate new development interest within this District.

6.23 The proposals to introduce a new hourly bus service from Leicester and the introduction of the East Midlands Parkway train station will improve opportunities for those living within the District without a car to access the

airport in a sustainable manner.

6.24 As passenger numbers and cargo levels handled at the airport increase then so will journeys to and from the airport made by private car. This may have an adverse effect on the District by increasing traffic on the M1 and M69 and other major road networks, potentially increasing pollution levels and congestion.

Conclusion

6.25 In conclusion the proposed development as stated in the Draft Master Plan will not have any direct adverse effect on the District. However, even though Blaby District no longer lies below NEMA’s flight paths or holding areas the increase in cargo, passenger numbers and the resulting increase in air traffic movements could potentially raise vehicle numbers on the M1 and M69 motorways, and other major road networks which run through the District.

7. Other Options Considered

7.1 The option of objecting to the Draft Master Plan has been considered and rejected as unjustified based on the limited impact on the District of Blaby.

8. Appropriate Consultations

8.1 Environmental Protection Manager Meeting of the Airport Joint Working Group, March 2006

9. Financial and Efficiency Implications

9.1

Current year 2007/8 2008/9 Revenue Capital

Efficiency Estimated Estimated None How measured Cashable Cashable Savings Savings

There are no resource implications arising from this report.

10. List of Background Papers

10.1 Nottingham East Midlands Airport, Draft Master Plan (Consultation Document), February 2006 The Future of Air Transport, Department for Transport, December 2003 Regional Spatial Strategy for the East Midlands, Government Office for the East Midlands, March 2005 North West Leicestershire District Local Plan, Written Statement, August 2002

The following Officer(s)/Member(s) have been consulted (identified by ):  Head of Paid Service  S. 151 Officer  Monitoring Officer  Portfolio Holder