Representation by John David Gass
- Date submitted
- 11 May 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
The proposed development in terms of the Heritage Impact Assessment Report and proposed Compensation Scheme, do not adequately reflect the impact of the noise and vibration on Grade II listed Buildings. According to the Hermitage Impact Assessment report there are many properties affected, however the impact on these properties is specifically excluded from the Hermitage Impact Assessment report. English Heritage are on Record as stating that Grade II listed buildings are not within their remit, and the noise compensation scheme requires home owners to use the Airport appointed Contractors, but the Airport (Luton Rising and LLAOL) have confirmed within the last month that they will not get involved in listed building consents. The noise compensation scheme does not take into account the adverse way that Grade II listed buildings will be affected by the noise and vibration, due to their typical single skin construction and lack of double glazing. The amount suggested of £3000 to £20,000 does not cover in any way the cost of providing noise insulation to these properties. The noise insulation Scheme should priorities Grade II listed buildings, and the level of funds made available to provide noise insulation in keeping with the heritage of Grade II listed buildings. The noise insulation should be installed before the expansion of the airport to ensure that the occupants of these buildings do not suffer from the increased noise. LLAOL although required to provide Noise insulation in its previous planning application, have refused to do so for listed buildings, even when they have identified a property requiring noise insulation, and state they will treat all properties equally. They would appear to be in material breach of previous planning requirements, and this should be taken into account when considering this application by the planning inspectorate and the Civil Aviation Authority. The village I live in, Breachwood Green, is under the direct flight path to Luton Airport. Under previous planning applications LLAL have cited that they run a noise insulation Scheme. When requesting information I was referred to their solicitors, years later I subsequently received a letter stating my property was selected for noise insulation, but then rejected as it was a listed property. I live in a listed house from 1750 which pre-dates the airport and suffers significant noise and vibration from the operations at Luton airport. The refusal of Luton Airport to provide insulation and other measures despite their published information, demonstrates that they are not fit to run an airport. I would expect that the applicant should be brought to test to explain their refusal to comply with previous planning conditions, and a fund should be set up to finance legal action from residents to obtain compensation. We should not have to bear the cost of appointing solicitors to deal with Luton Airport solicitors. Th expansion of the airport will increase the disturbance to myself and my family, and I would like to see the withdrawal of the 24 operation license for Luton Airport, which should be modified to provide a quiet time between 11pm and 6am. I wish to make an objection that Luton Rising have lodged an incorrect document with the planning authorities, in 5.02 Environmental Statement - Appendix 10.2 – Cultural Heritage Gazetteer (PDF, 780KB), they fail to list my property, which is Grade II listed, see historic England entry: Grade: II List Entry Number: 1102442 Date first listed: 08-Feb-1988 List Entry Name: KEEPERS COTTAGE [Redacted] Clearly failing to list properties that are listed and will be affected provides a misleading impression to the planning Inspectorate. In addition Luton Rising have excluded the noise impact on listed buildings and have not taken the characteristics (single skin, specialist windows etc) into the compensation scheme proposed. Clearly listed buildings will be more expensive to noise insulate and will be affected more than modern buildings and therefore should be prioritised. Luton Rising are on record as stating they will not obtain listed building consent for noise insulation to listed buildings but insist that there contractor is used, even when the need for noise insulation is acknowledged. I look forwards to seeing a corrected version of appendix 10.2 submitted.