Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the newly designated flight paths to East Midlands Airport on people living in Broxtowe constituency; and whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of providing statutory compensation for affected residents, in the context of potential changes to levels of noise pollution and property values.

East Midlands Airport is developing plans to modernise its airspace, in line with the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) Airspace Change process (CAP1616). This process includes a requirement for the airspace change sponsor to engage with relevant stakeholders at different stages of the process, from the initial design principles to detailed options appraisal, before any final plans are submitted to the CAA. The airport has completed Stage 2 of this process, and the next stage will include consultation on its plans with communities who might be affected. Following this consultation, and any changes required as a result, the airport is expected to submit its proposals to the CAA.

The Government’s policy on aviation noise places the responsibility with airports to offer noise insulation assistance to households exposed to high noise levels and take other steps to support communities. Many airports exceed the minimum threshold set by Government and also offer other forms of support such as community funds.