Hyslop Welcomes CAA Decision to Reject Airspace Changes at Edinburgh Airport
Local Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop welcomes the news that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has rejected Edinburgh Airport’s plans to make airspace changes.
Fiona has long campaigned on behalf of her constituents for Edinburgh Airport to respond to the numerous complaints and concerns of local residents in relation to noise pollution and community engagement. She has also been very active in representing constituents’ views on the proposed airspace changes.
Fiona commented,
“Having worked on this issue representing my constituents for some years now, I very much welcome the CAA’s decision and I know that this will be a relief to local residents.
“The consultation survey Edinburgh Airport put out in summer 2017 clearly showed that more than half of all respondents registered negative feedback to Edinburgh Airport’s overall proposals. The CAA has based its decision on a view that Edinburgh Airport submitted a proposal which does not accord with the material that was provided to stakeholders in consultation and this speaks volumes about Edinburgh Airport’s approach.
“It is important to note that there has been a request for the UK Westminster Secretary of State to ‘call this in’ for their consideration before any final decision, following the CAA statement that they are ‘minded to refuse’.
“I also understand from communications sent to me by Edinburgh Airport that they will go back to the drawing board and plan to proceed with obtaining the necessary work to support another consultation.
“It is clear that Edinburgh Airport cannot justify their proposals even from their own consultation and although they claim their process follows the latest CAA guidelines it is essential that the UK Government put a legislative framework in place so that everyone – local communities and Edinburgh Airport – know where they stand.
“The current system for airspace change is not fit for purpose and wouldn’t be acceptable for land based planning so it makes no sense that the flawed system would acceptable for the skies. I will continue to work with Hannah Bardell MP as she seeks those changes at Westminster.”
ENDS