Written question asked by Lord Soames of Fletching (Conservative) on Wednesday, 24 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 29 November 2004. It was answered by Charlotte Atkins (Labour) on Monday, 29 November 2004 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Dept for Transport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make a statement on the impact of the Seaford noise preferential route on the proposed housing development at Imberhorne in East Grinstead.

Answer: Mr. Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make a statement on the impact of the Seaford noise preferential route on the proposed housing development at Imberhome in East Grinstead. [200480] Charlotte Atkins: The Seaford noise preferential route (NPR) from Gatwick Airport is stipulated by the Secretary of State by Notice under s.78 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982. When it is allocated to the operators of aircraft departing towards the east, they are required to turn on a heading between East Grinstead and Crawley Down towards the navigational beacon at Seaford. Adherence to the NPR is assessed on the basis of a `swathe', 1.5 km to each side of the centre-line of the route. Aircraft which have reached an altitude of 4,00 ft may be `vectored' by air traffic controllers onto a different heading without being deemed to have deviated from the NPR. It is for interested parties to assess the relevance of the Seaford route, and of airport operations and noise controls generally, to any planning process, having due regard to planning guidance.

Secondary information