The Application

One of the key operational changes being consulted upon was an extension the opening hours of the Airport on weekends and Public Holidays. This would have reduced potential congestion in the first and last hour on busy days, which in turn would have delivered environmental and customer service benefits. Consultation feedback highlighted this proposal as scoring the most negatively amongst respondents. For this reason, the proposal to extend the operating hours is no longer being contemplated. Alternatively, Farnborough Airport will look at ways of managing demand during these periods, including the potential for enhanced levels of slot co-ordination, with the aim of achieving the same environmental and customer service benefits as previously envisaged.

A common theme from the consultation was concern around the future rate of growth at the Airport, especially that flights would grow significantly in a short space of time, with the potential for noise and other environmental impacts being materially discernible within a matter of a few years.

To address this, it is proposed to introduce a phased annual flight limit which will ensure the Airport’s growth rate does not exceed the long-term forecasts which were previously consulted upon. This will apply for both the annual flight total and for the annual non-weekday flight total.

By making this change, Farnborough Airport would be relinquishing its existing total annual permissions of 50,000 flights and replacing it with phased annual flight limits which would be lower until 2030. These annual limits would gradually increase over time to reflect the previously consulted upon long-term market demand forecasts for flights from the Airport.

The potential for increased noise has been the predominant concern raised during the consultation. Aircraft technology has improved dramatically since the last planning application in 2009 and is again expected to continue to improve into the future. As such, Farnborough Airport’s noise footprint will benefit from these technology advances over time and consequently the proposals which have been consulted upon are expected to remain well within the Airport’s existing statutory noise budget into the future. However, following the consultation a number of additional measures are now being proposed.

• Enhancements to its existing Sound Insulation Grant Scheme, such that it offers the most generous eligibility criteria of any UK airport.
• Introduction of a new aircraft Noise Levy, whereby only newer and quieter Chapter 14 aircraft will be exempt.
• A phased prohibition of a specific aircraft type for which frequent concerns have been received.
• An expanded noise monitoring and reporting regime.

Feedback was also received in relation to the Airport’s proposed changes to its community funding programme. There were particular comments on the geographic area, the financial size, and the remit of the new Sustainability Fund. In response, the following changes are being proposed:

• Increased flexibility of the Sustainability Fund in terms of geographic reach and remit, with potential to include community projects alongside environmental initiatives.
• A further increase in funding size of the new Sustainability Fund, with the Fund being double that which was previously consulted upon. This better reflects its anticipated wider geographic area. It will also be indexed over time to reflect inflation.
• Alongside the previous proposal to double the size of the Airport’s existing Community Environmental Fund, it is also being proposed to index the Fund over time to reflect inflation.
• The introduction of a new Skills & Employment Plan.

Climate change and air quality have been an important aspect of the consultation. Whilst Farnborough Airport’s absolute levels of emissions are very low and are forecast to be aligned with the UK Government’s Net Zero targets by 2050, a number of further commitments are being proposed:

• Additional air quality monitoring and reporting, including measurement of Particulate Matters.
• Continued commitment to Farnborough Airport’s Net Zero Road Map and its Carbon Accreditation status.
• A reaffirmation of the Airport’s ambition to be a leader in the adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), including an aspiration to be the first UK airport to become 100% SAF as soon as is practicable.