Decision made on Biggin Hill Airport extended hours

Following an eight-week public consultation, Bromley Council’s executive has approved in principle a limited extension of operating hours at Biggin Hill Airport.

Providing this is ratified by a full council meeting and agreed to by the airport, the local authority can now move forward to discussing how to implement the new opening times.

The public consultation has provoked a strong response from residents, with over 41,000 people taking part in the survey. While 76 per cent (31,500) of the respondents were in favour of extending operating hours, a record 10,000 people responded negatively to the suggestion, showing the extent of engagement within the community on this issue.

While the airport is not served by any commercial passenger airliners due to regulatory restrictions, it is home to many privately owned light aircraft, freight operations and a helicopter charter service, which can take users to Central London in as little as six minutes. As such, it is a major source of revenue and economic rejuvenation for the local area.

Leader of Bromley Council Stephen Carr said: “We have always said that our objectives are to see a successful airport whilst balancing the needs of residents for peace and quiet and this decision has these principles at the heart of them. We are willing to consider extending the operating hours if Biggin Hill Airport agree the key conditions which improve the situation for everyone.

“We firmly believe this is both reasonable and the right course of action, particularly as it absolutely must come alongside measures to demonstrably reduce the noise impact which will be clear to everyone and include a cap in overall flight movements.”

All of the limits on flights during the extended period will be subject to agreement with Biggin Hill Airport, after which a timeline for the changes will be created.

Published 1st April, 2015

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