HILLINGDON UNITARY DEVELOPMENT PLAN - London Borough ...

intended occupiers of developments on the airport and an explanation of their functional link to the
operation of the airport.
11.20 It is appropriate for the airport to meet the needs of Heathrow's workforce for shopping,
recreation and social facilities. However, in view of the aim of reducing travel demand and in order not to
threaten existing retail provision off-airport, the scale of shopping and other facilities should be limited to
that needed to meet the needs of passengers and employees only, in order not to attract to the airport people
who would otherwise have no reason for being there.
A5 NEW DEVELOPMENT AT AIRPORTS SHOULD INCORPORATE, WHERE
APPROPRIATE, RESTAURANT, SHOPPING, LEISURE, SPORTS, CRECHE FACILITIES AND
OTHER SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WORKING AT THE AIRPORT. HOWEVER, THESE
SHOULD NOT BE DESIGNED OR BE OF SUCH A SCALE AS TO ATTRACT PEOPLE FROM
OUTSIDE THE AIRPORT.
Airport Safeguarding
11.21 Public safety zones are areas of land extending outwards from the end of airport runways at
Heathrow. In accordance with The Town and Country Planning (Aerodromes and Technical Sites)
Direction 1992, it is the practice of the Local Planning Authority to consult the Civil Aviation Authority
who will generally advise against any development which would result in a significant increase in the
number of people living, working or congregating in the zones. More stringent criteria apply to
development less than 300 metres from runway ends, including proposals to build a new road or to upgrade
an existing road. In addition to the requirements related to public safety zones and to the height and type of
buildings and structures, the Local Planning Authority is also required to consult the Civil Aviation
Authority before granting permission which might by its nature endanger the safety of aircraft by attracting
large numbers of birds. Such developments include refuse tips, reservoirs, sewage disposal works, nature
reserves or a bird sanctuary as well as landscaping proposals linked to other developments. The future
management of such areas will be taken into consideration. Although there are no Public Safety Zones
defined at Northolt Airport, it is the practice of the Local Planning Authority to consult the Ministry of
Defence in respect of development which might interfere with the safe and efficient operation of the
airport.
A6 THE LOCAL PLANNING AUTHORITY WILL NOT GRANT PLANNING
PERMISSION FOR DEVELOPMENT LIKELY EITHER TO RESULT IN A SIGNIFICANT
INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE RESIDING, WORKING OR CONGREGATING IN
THE PUBLIC SAFETY ZONES AROUND HEATHROW OR TO INTERFERE WITH THE SAFE
AND EFFICIENT OPERATION OF HEATHROW OR NORTHOLT AIRPORTS.
Aircraft Noise
11.22 Aircraft noise affects areas under the flight path at some distance from airports. The degree of
disturbance is related to people's perception of noise, the volume and character of noise, the frequency of
aircraft movements and the ambient background noise. The Department of the Environment PPG24
'Planning and Noise' gives guidance on the siting of developments in areas subjected to aircraft noise. It
forms the basis for the policies controlling development in these areas which are detailed in Chapter 6.
More detailed supplementary guidance has been published as ‘Policy Note 7: Aircraft Noise’ which is
available from the Local Planning Authority. This guidance will eventually be incorporated into the
forthcoming supplementary planning guidance on all aspects of ‘Noise’.
Helicopter Operations
11.23 For air traffic control purposes helicopters normally use designated routes when flying over the
Borough. These routes are not under the control of the Council, but the Council is concerned that more
intensive use could lead to increased noise and disturbance suffered by residents. Helicopters flying to and
from sites within or close to the Borough clearly have to deviate from these routes and can produce
London Borough of Hillingdon Unitary Development Plan