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<p>The Government sets noise controls at Heathrow Airport, including total noise limits
and aircraft movement limits for night flights.</p><p> </p><p>These controls, in conjunction
with stricter aircraft noise standards negotiated by the UK at the international level,
have resulted in a long-term reduction in the number of people affected by aircraft
noise near the airport.</p><p> </p><p>Following the designation of the Airports National
Policy Statement, it is now down to an applicant for development consent for a Northwest
runway scheme to undertake a detailed assessment of the environmental effects of their
scheme, and to put forward an appropriate package of mitigation measures. The Airports
National Policy Statement makes clear that the Government expects noise mitigation
measures to limit, and where possible reduce, the effect of aircraft noise. It also
sets out specific mitigations for aircraft noise which the Government expects to see
delivered. These include the applicant putting forward plans for a noise envelope
which is tailored to local priorities and includes noise performance targets; developing
plans for a runway alternation scheme that provides communities affected with predictable
periods of respite; and an expectation that the applicant will adopt a ban on scheduled
night flights for a period of six and a half hours.</p><p> </p><p>These supporting
measures are subject to consultation and will be finalised through the planning process.
The application will then be considered by the Planning Inspectorate and the Secretary
of State in determining any application for development consent.</p><p> </p><p> </p>
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