Robin Hood Airport improves
noise protection for residents

5 October 2005

Don Valley MP Caroline Flint has secured improvements in the airport Sound Insulation Grant Scheme, operated by Robin Hood Airport.

Following representations from the Don Valley MP, following meetings with residents, Ms Flint made a number of suggestions to improve the scheme to Robin Hood Airport.

Said Ms Flint: "My first concern has been to ensure that Robin Hood Airport is a good neighbour to those living on its doorstep. To that end, the airport's Sound Insulation Grant Scheme must do the job it was intended for - to reduce noise impact on those residents affected.

"The revised Sound Insulation Grant Scheme is a big step in the right direction. The airport has listened carefully to the concerns of residents living closest to the airport and has made a number of important changes to make the SIG scheme more effective."

The main changes to the scheme include:

• Increasing the grant for secondary glazing from £2,400 to £3,000 for residents affected by day and night time noise disturbance.
  
  
• Increasing the grant for loft insulation from £50 to £500.

The company will also create a show house in Blaxton to demonstrate the quality of the work that can be achieved at reasonable cost.

Said Ms Flint: "The ten fold increase grant for loft insulation is particularly important. One of the problems encountered by people living closest to an airport is the penetration of noise through the roof. This can be reduced dramatically through heavy boarding. The grant now ensures that residents who qualify can get this work done."

Ms Flint said that the improved SIG Scheme was just one of the important steps to control noise from the airport. "The airport is Doncaster's greatest asset, but airports cause nuisance and initiatives like the SIG Scheme are vital."

The MP also welcomed the extensive noise monitoring taking place in villages near the airport. "I have made clear that the boundary of the SIG Scheme, which residents are affected, must be kept under constant review. So I particularly welcome the deployment of the mobile noise monitoring equipment in Austerfield, Blaxton, Bawtry and Finningley."

For more information contact Phil Cole 07973 367869.