Stansted airport's owners have launched a consultation on a compensation scheme for residents affected by aircraft noise.

BAA wants to develop a voluntary scheme to provide insulation for "noise-sensitive buildings" such as schools and hospitals, at Stansted, Heathrow, Gatwick and Edinburgh airports.

A second proposed scheme will look to offer a financial aid package for relocation assistance, capped at £10,000, for people living in the noisiest areas who want to move.

The assistance would be made up of 1.5 per cent of the completion sale price of the affected property, plus a lump sum of £2,500. To be eligible, home-owners must live within a 69 decibel noise contour.

At Stansted, the consultation focuses on noise associated with the operation of the existing runway and is an entirely separate initiative to the Home Owner Support Scheme announced on Tuesday, which concerns the proposed new runway.

The consultation will be open until December 21 and final details of the scheme will be launched early in 2005.

Published Thursday, September 23, 2004

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette