Environmental concerns raised for London City Airport’s Draft Master Plan

The Mayor of Newham has raised concerns for issues relating to London City Airport’s Draft Master Plan and the possible environmental impacts that the changes may have in the future, whilst also considering the effect on residents in the local area.

The Mayor voiced her concerns in an open letter to the airport, stating that issues relating to “noise, air quality and climate change have not been fully addressed”. Newham’s council have pledged to make the borough carbon neutral by 2030 and carbon zero by 2050; clearly committed to tackling the climate emergency. The letter follows Newham Council’s Planning Service issuing their consultation response to London City Airport.

Mayor Fiaz’s letter focuses on the environmental impacts that the predicted increase outlined in the Draft Master Plan will have. She wrote: “I remain concerned that the potentially harmful effects of any further airport expansion – in particular relating to noise, air quality and climate change – have not been fully addressed by the additional information provided.”

The letter continued by drawing attention to the residents of the area. The Mayor said that she will “take this opportunity to emphasise my absolute commitment to the health and well-being of the residents of Newham.

“The Draft Master Plan offers no justification, in environmental terms, for the intensification of flights early in the morning and the reduction of the weekend respite period, currently enjoyed by the residents of Newham. These and other issues have been raised with the Council by local residents and those living outside the borough in no uncertain terms.”

The Draft Master Plan suggests that an expected increase in passenger demand will see a dramatic increase in flights both into and out of the airport. The prediction expects an increase of over four million passengers, from the current permitted limit of 6.5 million each year to 11 million, and an increase of 40,000 flights, from the current permitted limit of 111,000 to 151,000, by 2035 – representing a significant 36 per cent increase.