Councillor's concern after locals not consulted over airport expansion
13.01.08
Thousands of locals living directly under the flight path into London City Airport are not being consulted over plans to increase the air traffic, according to a local councillor. Residents on the Isle of Dogs are not being asked for their views the proposal to increase the number of landings and take-offs at the runway in the former Royal Docks from 80,000 to 120,000 a year - even though their neighbours in Canning Town are being consulted - but Tower Hamlets councillor Peter Golds is calling for a public consultation.
London City Airport submitted a planning application to increase flights from 80,000 to 120,000 a year in August. This could mean nearly 4 million passengers flying in and out of the airport, compared to the current 2.5 million. The airport says that it will not need to build a new terminal buildings or an additional runway to accommodate the increase, and that its operating hours will not be changed.
However, Tower Hamlets council, which covers the Isle of Dogs, will not be asking for residents' opinions. Instead, the council has written a letter with its views to neighbour Newham council, which is the planning authority for the airport.
Councillor Golds, who represents Blackwall and Cubitt Town on the Isle of Dogs, has questioned this and has called for a full public consultation on the proposed flights increase. He said: 'It's ridiculous that residents in Tower Hamlets are not being consulted. People are seriously affected by this proposal. Planes bank over the area and cause disturbance. This affects thousands of people and they should be consulted.'
The Tower Hamlets letter to Newham expresses concern 'regarding an increase in aircraft noise from additional flights over Newham, Tower Hamlets and other parts of London.'
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