Public consultation on introducing three noise insulation schemes to help reduce the impact of noise on people living near Stansted Airport is to be held by airport operator BAA.

The consultation, due to take place in the spring, will include a review of the previous scheme which was introduced in 1991, a scheme to reflect estimated noise levels when the airport serves 15m passengers and a third scheme for ground noise.

The 1991 noise insulation programme was a voluntary scheme introduced by BAA under guidelines set by the then Minister of Aviation, which saw BAA spend more than £1m fitting secondary glazing to 465 properties in the area.

Under the proposed scheme for 15m passengers, BAA is offering a 50 per cent discount on double glazing as an alternative to secondary glazing, as well as loft insulation.

The consultation is part of a series of mitigation measures to help minimise the effect on the community of expanding the airport to serve 25m passengers a year by 2010.

Stansted managing director Terry Morgan said he was pleased the consultation had been arranged ahead of the formal signing of the legal agreement with Uttlesford District Council.

He said: "To demonstrate our good faith, I'm pleased to announce that although the agreement has yet to be formally signed we will start immediately the process to consult on the noise insulation scheme with the intention of publishing a consultation document in the spring."

January 29, 2003 09:00