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Noise Action Plan

In line with ICAO requirements, our Noise Action Plan provides a thorough and effective driver for aircraft noise management and mitigation.

Read our Noise Action Plan here

Noise Action Plan

Under the Environmental Noise (England) Regulations 2006, we are required to produce a Noise Action Plan. This plan needs to provide a thorough and effective driver for aircraft noise management and mitigation around the airport. 

This Noise Action Plan is the fourth revision to the action plan, building on the foundations set by the previous versions.

In revising the Noise Action Plan, we consulted the:  

  • Gatwick Airport Consultative Committee (GATCOM) 
  • Noise and Track Monitoring Advisory Group (NaTMAG) 
  • Noise Management Board (NMB)

For the purposes of the Regulations, it was agreed with GATCOM that NaTMAG would fulfil the role of primary consultee on behalf of GATCOM. 

Noise monitor

In creating our Round 4 plan we adopted a ‘Review and Revise’ approach to the consultation and Noise Action Plan development process in line with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) guidance. It involved:

Check Icon Image A document review and data gathering, including a review of progress reports and feedback received through the oversight process​ of the current plan

Check Icon Image The production of a baseline report​ on the current plan

Check Icon Image Benchmarking against other UK and EU airport Noise Action Plans

Check Icon Image The development and consideration of candidate actions, including capture of existing/future noise management portfolios of activity (i.e. the NMB and its workplan)​

Aircraft in sunset

This revised Noise Action Plan, covering the period 2024-2028, contains 24 core and 18 progressive actions grouped to reflect the pillars of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Guidance on the Balanced Approach to Noise Management.

London Gatwick's Noise Action Plan 2024-2028 is published below in draft, subject to adoption by the Secretary of State for Defra. The actions that constitute this plan align with the S106 Legal Agreement with West Sussex County Council and Crawley Borough Council, the work plan of the NMB, and our Decade of Change Sustainability Strategy. 

We publish quarterly and annual reports to GATCOM and NaTMAG. We also publish the annual progress report online. You can find out more about the issues discussed in our Airspace Office reports and minutes of the NaTMAG. 

Read our Noise Action Plan here
Aircraft engine at London Gatwick
ICAO Balanced Approach to Aircraft Noise Management
The four pillars

The International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO) requires airports in Europe to use the ICAO Balanced Approach when managing aircraft noise. Basing London Gatwick's Noise Action Plan around the pillars of the Balanced Approach was supported by local stakeholders when considering our Round 4 Noise Action Plan.

The approach consists of actions in four areas:

  • Reduction of noise at source
  • Land-use planning and management policies
  • Noise abatement operational procedures
  • Operating restrictions

The Balanced Approach intends for the pillars to be implemented in a sequential manner. Initial efforts must focus on reducing noise at source and this must remain the priority in focus of noise management efforts. Where reduction at source effort is not yielding results, noise abatement operational procedures must be considered, and so on.

Reduction of noise at source

The technology involved in aviation is improving all the time. Adoption of measures that ensure those living around airports, who are impacted by aircraft noise, benefit from these improvements through airports proactively encouraging operators to implement the latest noise reduction technology available.

Actions:

  • Check Icon Image We will continue to be vigilant in respect of aircraft with industry acknowledged acoustic issues and seek to resolve such issues through appropriate means.
  • Check Icon Image We will continue to maintain a charging differential in our published airport charges which incentivises the use of aircraft with the best-in-class noise performance.
  • Check Icon Image We will continue to review and report adherence to the effectiveness of our ground noise operational controls.

Land-use planning and management

Policies involve identifying areas affected by higher levels of aircraft noise and then restricting the land use and type of buildings that can be constructed in those areas. Land-use planning is designed to ensure that aircraft noise management gains achieved are not offset by further residential development close to the airport. It should be recognised that land-use planning is considered a long-term strategy and should not be based on short-term or current contour maps. Thus, there is a continued need to take future levels of aircraft activity at an airport into account during any new land-use planning.

Actions:

  • Check Icon Image We will review our acoustic insulation schemes to ensure they remain appropriate and relevant.
  • Check Icon Image We will monitor the number of additional residential units being created annually within the vicinity of the airport.
  • Check Icon Image In respect of the second southern runway, we will continue to offer to purchase those properties of owners suffering from a high level of noise and/or a large increase of noise.
  • Check Icon ImageWe will continue to offer a Noise Insulation Scheme (NIS) that helps with the cost of acoustically insulating homes against the effects of aircraft noise within the NIS boundary
  • Check Icon ImageWe will continue to offer a scheme for acoustic insulation to non-residential noise sensitive buildings within the 60 dBLAeq noise contour.
  • Check Icon ImageWe continue to review residential land-use legislation and policies and seek to influence them where practicable.

Noise abatement operational procedures

Adoption of airport-specific procedures that demonstrate best practice noise mitigation techniques, improving the way aircraft are operated day-to-day may also provide opportunities to manage aircraft noise impacts on the ground. Supporting, for example, the use of the best available flying techniques by airlines, and providing routes designed to minimise noise exposure on the ground, also provide opportunities to manage noise impacts. Existing noise abatement procedures will continue, and no new actions were identified as a result of the Noise Action Plan.

Actions:

  • Check Icon ImageWe will improve operational performance to reduce arrivals noise
  • Check Icon Image We will improve track keeping conformance for departing aircraft on our Noise Preferential Routes (NPR)
  • Check Icon ImageWe will continue to maintain a charging differential in our published airport charges which incentivises the use of aircraft with the best-in-class noise performance
  • Check Icon Image We will continue to monitor and enforce our departure noise limits
  • Check Icon ImageWe will review the departure noise limits and fines for airlines that breach the limits.

Operating restrictions

Steadily restrict aircraft operations at an airport; phase out operations of the noisiest aircraft types and enabling a continual improvement in aircraft noise management. Restrictions are usually based on the noise performance of the aircraft and are specific to the noise problem at an individual airport.

Actions:

  • Check Icon ImageWe will consider the voluntary phase out of the scheduling of QC2 aircraft during the core night period.
  • Check Icon Image We will consider the introduction of a daytime Noise Envelope, in accordance with the Government policy at the time
  • Check Icon ImageWe will continue to administer the Department for Transport night flight regime and ensure that we operate within the prescribed air traffic movement (ATM) and Quota Count (QC) limits.
  • Check Icon Image We will continue, as far as is practicable, to take all necessary steps to manage the late running of aircraft to prevent scheduled day movements taking place during the sensitive night period.

Stakeholder engagement

Sometimes referred to as the fifth pillar, stakeholder engagement focuses on communication strategies and enhancing information for public access, as well as ensuring various non-acoustic factors are considered. London Gatwick has involved its local community in the development of the Noise Action Plan and continues community involvement through the ongoing review of actions, and acceptance of feedback through our various public groups. The nature of this engagement is consistent with guidance from Defra.