Archived decisions

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1. Summary

1.1 On 23 July 2002 the Secretary of State for Transport launched the regional consultation documents setting out a range of options for the future development of air services and airports in the United Kingdom over the next 30 years.

1.2 The report to the Environment Policy Review Committee on 4 December 2002, attached as Appendix 1, set out the key strategic issues for Hampshire outlined in the Department for Transport (DfT) consultations for the South East and the South West. The decisions sought below are in the main as supported by the Environment Policy Review Committee, as Appendix 2, with the exception of (iii), (iv), (v), (ix), (xii) and (xiii).

1.3 The following decisions are sought:

1. That the Department for Transport be informed that the County Council:

(i) welcomes the national consultation on `The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom';

(ii) requests that the Government undertake and publish environmental, health and infrastructure assessments on options that it details in the forthcoming White Paper on Aviation;

(iii) opposes further runways at Heathrow and Gatwick;

(iv) is not in a position to comment on whether Stansted or a new airport proposal at Cliffe is the most appropriate location for growth proposals;

(v) requests the preparation of an air cargo strategy for the United Kingdom;

(vi) would support measures to bring all significant developments at airports under planning control by abolishing the very substantial permitted development rights currently enjoyed by airports, in order to ensure that the off-site impact of proposals can be properly assessed and mitigation agreed before development proceeds;

(vii) welcomes the recognition of Southampton and Bournemouth International Airports as regional airports providing a valuable contribution to both the South East and South West regions;

(viii) welcomes the expansion of services from Southampton and Bournemouth International Airports subject to appropriate safety, environmental safeguards and mitigation measures, and in the case of the latter recognises the need for improved public transport proposals to be developed, but is of the view that these two airports and associated infrastructure could not satisfactorily accommodate the additional demand that would arise if adequate capacity to meet demand were not provided at other South East airports;

(ix) recommends that the complementary roles of Southampton and Bournemouth International Airports be recognised;

(x) supports the recognition of the continuing role for both Farnborough and Blackbushe Airports in providing business aviation facilities and general aviation subject to appropriate safety, environmental safeguards and mitigation measures;

(xi) requests the Government acknowledges the needs of general aviation; and

(xii) subject to the above, endorses the response of the Strategic Aviation Special Interest Group to the consultation as Appendix 2 of the Environment Policy Committee report.

2. That the County Council thanks the Strategic Aviation Special Interest Group for the work undertaken in preparing the detailed response to the consultation and informs it of the Council's response to the Department for Transport.

3. That the County Council informs the Bournemouth International Airport Consultative Committee, Southampton International Airport Consultative, Farnborough Airfield Liaison Committee and the Blackbushe Airport Consultative Committee of the response to the Department for Transport's consultation.

2. Reason

2.1 On 23 July 2002 the Government launched the regional consultation documents for the UK, comprising a full report and summary document. The consultation period ran to the end of November 2002 and the Department for Transport has therefore been provided with a draft response.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 Not to offer a response to the Department for Transport would reduce the County Council's influence on future aviation policy.

3.2 The report, attached as Appendix 1, was considered by the Environment Policy Review Committee on 4 December 2002 and its recommendations to Cabinet are attached as Appendix 2. With the exception of the key issues of future growth and expansion at Heathrow and Gatwick, these views are reflected in the recommendations.

3.3 On these two key aspects, the Director of Environment's comments on the Environment Policy Review recommendations are set out in section 3 below, and reflected in the foregoing recommendations.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or a Member or Officer consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: ....................................... Date: ..................................

Councillor T K Thornber

7638A