Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)
Section 5.6.5 Noise - Legislation / Policy / Guidance refers to the objectives of EU and Irish noise legislation as being "to avoid, prevent or reduce harmful effects on human health and the environment as a whole", and this includes noise nuisance. The Noise Directive - Environmental Noise Directive (END) 2002/49/EC requires competent authorities to draw up an action plan to reduce noise where necessary and maintain environmental noise quality where it is good, and inform and consult the public about noise exposure, its effect, and the measures considered to address noise (p.95)
It is our contention that the operation of small planes and helicopters out of Weston Airport, and in particular their constant flying over our houses and the village of Leixlip at very low levels, is creating an unacceptable amount of environmental noise pollution. According to the Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR), the minimum altitude over urban areas is 1,000 ft above 'any congested area of a city, town, or settlement, or over any open-air assembly of persons (section 91.119)
We understand from information provided by our local TD Catherine Murphy that a plane can fly at 300 ft on final approach or take off. However, in our experience planes regularly circle our residential area at levels far below 1,000 ft, such that the planes identification numbers are clearly visible from the ground) and with significant and often intolerable levels of noise. Despite calls to Weston Airport on a number of occasions, these events continue on a regular basis.
As the local authority has the responsibility to draw up an action plan to reduce noise where necessary, we as residents of Riverdale, Leixlip, wish to ensure that South Dublin County Council develops an Action Plan to reduce ambient noise in our residential area. This is essential to ensure the continued enjoyment of our homes and the local environment. We submit that this is particularly necessary in view of the proposed development and expansion of Weston Airport in the near future.