HILLINGDON UNITARY DEVELOPMENT PLAN - London Borough ...

11. AIRPORTS AND AVIATION
Introduction
11.1 Heathrow Airport, the world's busiest in terms of international passengers, during the year
ending May 1996 handled over 54 million passengers a year and nearly 1.05 million tonnes of airfreight
which is forecast to grow at 6% a year to 1.12 million tonnes by the year 2000. Heathrow is also one of the
largest concentrations of employment in the UK, directly employing around 52,000 of whom over 8,000
are Hillingdon residents and is the largest single traffic generator. As the Borough's largest single land
user, it has a dominant visual presence and aircraft using Heathrow cause severe noise problems in areas
extending beyond the Borough. There is also considerable pressure on the surrounding area both for
airport-related development, ranging from hotels on the perimeter to small airfreight offices in the villages,
and, more significantly, development attracted to the area by the airport (see Chapter 10). The airport also
acts as a critical constraint on certain types of development in areas subject to high levels of aircraft noise.
11.2 Heathrow Airport Ltd (HAL) enjoy development rights under the Town and Country Planning
(General Permitted Development) Order 1995. This allows certain developments for operational purposes
to take place at the airport without the need for planning permission. Cumulatively these developments
can, by improving the efficiency of operations at the airport, increase its passenger and freight capacity and
so add to the overall impact of the airport. The policies in this Plan can therefore have only limited effect
on much of the development that takes place on the airport; they will, however, be applied to proposals for
which planning permission is required and to guide the Local Planning Authority in its response to
consultations from HAL on other proposals.
11.3 In addition to Heathrow, the Borough contains Northolt Airport, primarily used by the Ministry
of Defence although a limited number of civil business flights (a maximum of 7,000 movements a year) is
accepted by agreement. The Ministry of Defence consults the Local Planning Authority on proposals for
development at the Airport but does not have to apply for planning permission. The policies of this Plan
will help frame this Council's responses to such consultations. Notwithstanding the relatively infrequent
movements, noise levels in the surrounding area can be high and control on development in affected areas
may be appropriate. The Borough is also affected by the activities of Denham Airfield, in South Bucks
District, and by helicopter operations.
Airports Policy
11.4 The last comprehensive government statement on airport policy was a White Paper published in
1985 although further guidance has subsequently been issued in the form of policy statements and
announcements and Regional Planning Guidance (see Paras 11.5-11.6). The White Paper supports
Heathrow's position as an international airport and invited the then British Airports Authority and Thames
Water Authority to investigate the feasibility of relocating Perry Oaks Sewage Treatment Works which was
considered highly desirable in order to release the site for airport purposes. This study has been undertaken
and an alternative site proposed adjacent to the South Iver Sewage Treatment Works in Buckinghamshire.
Other changes have also occurred since the White Paper. Terminal 4 at Heathrow was opened in April
1986, the first stage in developing Stansted as London's third major airport is now complete, and the
Heathrow Express rail link to Central London is under construction. A Working Party on Runway
Capacity in the South East has reported and the Government has issued its response to it (see Para 11.7)
and BAA has submitted a planning application for a fifth terminal at Heathrow (see Para 11.9).
11.5 Regional Planning Guidance for the South East (RPG9) recognises the contribution of the
region's airport facilities to the UK economy; the position of Heathrow and Gatwick as major international
airports and the possible scope of regional airports for relieving some of the pressure on south east airports.
It states the best use should be made of existing airport facilities but additional capacity should be provided
where it is justified, taking account of 'economic and environmental considerations'. The guidance states
that it is - for airport operators to consider the scale and timing of additional development but that decisions
on location should be taken through the development plan system taking account of planning policy
London Borough of Hillingdon Unitary Development Plan