DAA Defies new Noise Control Plan

Dublin Airport Authority is defying new EU Directives and proposed new national Noise Regulations in their proposed application for a change in two Planning Conditions associated with the proposed new major Runway, according to Labour Councillor Peter Coyle. He is calling on the DAA not to proceed with their Planning Application to allow for unlimited night-time flying. This will adversely impact on local communities and cause sleep deprivation and is not sustainable, according to the local Councillor.

The Environmental Noise Regulations 2006 required the Dublin Local Authorities to produce ‘Maps’ for noise emanating from major Industry and transport for Dublin and to draw up action plans to reduce noise where necessary and maintain the environmental acoustic quality where it is good. The Draft Action Plan “Relating to the Assessment & Management of Environmental Noise” is presently on public display in each Dublin local authority including Fingal. Fingal’s Plan is available on the Council’s website.

Whereas Fingal Co Council is responsible for noise management throughout the county, aircraft noise is excluded from their control by national legislation. Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) has this remit. A major part of the Noise mapping produced in the Draft Plan relates to road traffic noise. Here nighttime noise relates to the hours between 11.00 PM and 7.00 AM, and its impact on sleep disturbance in these critical hours. Unfortunately the proposed action by the DAA to change two planning conditions is totally against the objectives of the Noise Action Plan, Regulations and EU Directive, according to Cllr Peter Coyle. These conditions, imposed when planning permission was granted for the new major runway, are in line with best practice in Europe, and relate to control of night-time flights and efficient use of the runways from an environmental point of view. If the DAA have these conditions removed, it will have a major impact for Malahide, Portmarnock, Swords, St Margaret’s and Santry, according to Cllr Peter Coyle. He calls on the DAA not to proceed with their application.

The Environmental Working Group, a subcommittee of the Dublin Airport Stakeholders Forum, considered the new Draft Action Plan on Noise Control. Cllr Peter Coyle is Chairman of this Group. Within this Group there are some positive moves of co-operation between the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), the DAA, and Fingal Co Council Environmental Health Officers to provide a better information and response system to the general public on flight and noise control. ‘Best Practice’ guidelines in relation to noise minimisation are being formulated between the DAA and IAA. Cllr Peter Coyle welcomes these positive moves. However he remains critical of DAA’s move to go against the general thrust of the new Noise Control Action Plan, and extend night-time flying, contrary to all European best practice.