The Mayor's Ambient Noise Strategy - Greater London Authority

142 Mayor of London
The Mayor’s Ambient Noise Strategy
arrangements, and the use to which a helicopter is being put may not be
obvious from its appearance.
4C.52 Police and other security operations can operate lower than other
helicopters, and can depart from normal helicopter routes. This is likely to
have accentuated public awareness of helicopter noise. Policy is, however,
normally to fly as high as possible, subject to air traffic constraints. Air
ambulance services operate from the Royal London Hospital at
Whitechapel. Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) have been
expanding. Helicopter operation at night should normally be limited to
emergency services.
Box 48: Police helicopters
Police helicopter operations are governed by the provisions of a Police Air
Operations Certificate, issued by the Civil Aviation Authority and held by
the Metropolitan Police Commissioner. The Home Office act in an
advisory role. The Metropolitan Police Service Air Support Unit operates
three helicopters, carrying out operations including counter terrorist work,
intelligence gathering, photographic, public order, crime prevention,
missing person and suspect searches, vehicle pursuits and public safety
tasks. When the current machines are replaced, noise will be one of the
major factors taken into account in order to reduce impacts over London.
4C.53 The Mayor does not have any powers to control helicopter numbers,
movements or routes. The use of helicopters may be influenced where
planning permission for additional helicopter take-off and landing
facilities is required. Under existing planning legislation, however, a site
can be used for helicopter take offs and landings for up to 28 days a year
without specific planning permission. It is difficult for local planning
authorities to ensure that the 28 days are not exceeded. Helicopters can
only operate from elevated sites with special permission from the Civil
Aviation Authority. Emerging technologies may provide new opportunities
for cost-effective monitoring and control.
4C.54 The London Heliport Study, published in 1995, concluded that there was
demand for further heliport capacity east of the City, given that permitted
unused capacity at Battersea Heliport was limited.