Murphy Objects To Longer “Relocated” Runway

Cllr Catherine Murphy has objected to Weston Limited planning application  (08/2018),  which is seeking (a) a longer runway and (b) much of which is to be located in Co. Kildare.   They currently have planning permission for  a runway length of 800m,   which is wholly contained in South Dublin.   What is now being  sought is a runway distance of 1199m.

Longer runways obviously have the potential to accommodate larger aircraft,  if granted there would be a  range of impacts for  neighbouring communities and individuals.    In 1998 Kildare granted a planning permission for a stopway/clearway,  which was sought on safety grounds.    The Irish Aviation Authority had written to the Council (5th Aug 98) stating;  The (IAA) Authority will not be “imposing” safety regulation which require the provision of a stopway or clearway.”  Just as interestingly they also stated in the same letter “It should be noted that the ICAO publication entitled “Aerodrome Design Manual Part 1 – Runways” (Doc. 9157)  notes that stopways may frequently be an economical first stage in the extension of an existing runway.  The manual also notes that the establishment of a stopway is operationally equivalent for the aeroplane  to a lengthening of the runway.”

In 2003,  Weston moved the machinery in and constructed what looked like an extension to the Runway,  Kildare County Council intervened and instructed them to cover the tarmac with soil,  which they did,  however,  a short time later they removed the soil.   They  now state in the current planning application,  that very little work needs to be done,  this of course is because what is in place is not permitted.

Each planning application made by Weston seeks changes on safety grounds.   While those of us who live in close proximity to the airfield have more than a significant vested interest in safety,  and all applications should be considered in this context, it should not be forgotten  the primary reason for developments at Weston,  are for Commercial gain.

Given the constraints both in terms of air and ground space,   it would be unacceptable to give permission for a significantly longer runway,  this is the primary reason for Cllr Murphy’s objection.

I wish to object to the above planning application for a variety of reasons which are stated below.

Length of Runway

The current runway at 800m is significantly shorter than the application states,  should permission be granted it would then extend to 1199m. This would have serious implications,  including providing for larger aircraft to take off and land,  Weston, may also  in time, seek Code 3 status.  It should also be noted that no current permission provides for a runway in Kildare.

The applicant states in a letter dated 14th November 2008 “Nothing in this application increases the size or capacity of aircraft to that currently using the airport.   I take serious issue with this statement,  given that they are seeking a large extension to the runway,  and the provision of a runway for the first time in County Kildare,  where permission has only previously been granted for a stopway/clearway.

Unauthorised Development – Use of Stopway/Clearway

25th August 2003  Kildare County Council issued an enforcement notice  (attached),  were 3 issues were required  to be addressed.   What triggered the Enforcement notice was  the construction of a paved area,  resembling an extension to the runway.

This was followed by an enforcement notice on 28th August 2003  (attached),  Weston Ltd had claimed it was “exempted development”,  which the Council did not accept.   The Council stated they were willing to accept  “that the “runway end safety zone” as required by the IAO and constructed to the west south west of the runway strip be soiled over with topsoil and seeded with grass within one week of the date of this letter so as not to be conspicuous from land or air.  That Weston Airport strictly complies with the conditions of the planning permission 98/876,  with specific reference to condition 2.  That “runway end safety zone” not be used for any aircraft movement,  unless in the case of an emergency overrun of the stopway.”

The area was subsequently soiled over but this  was removed  in June 2005 without penalty;  indeed this in itself (the exposed paved area) is an unauthorised development.  A visit to Weston’s Website includes a photograph of the runway and stopway/clearway,  it simply looks like a long runway . http://www.westonairport.com/.

The current application states “the application does not comprise of any additional physical works at the Aerodrome,  except lighting and installation of the PAPI’s.”  Clearly they can state this because they already paved the area which was the subject of the enforcement notice referred to above.

A warning letter UD2823 was issued  16/5/05 (attached)  the key issue here was “the unauthorised use of the stopway/clearway for the takeoff and landing of planes.”

I also refer to the decision made by An Bord Pleanala on 8th December 2003 PL O6S 131149 Condition 2 (b)  refers to any material change in the type or capacity of existing aircraft using the aerodrome would require a further planning permission.   While this is not sought in the current application,  a longer runway would inevitably lead to intensification.  (attached)

Stopway Clearway Planning Permission – Department of Defense Safeguarding.

Planning Application 98/876  (June 08) was applied for by Weston Aerodrome Limited in 1998,  in which they sought  “the provision of a 457m long by 23M wide paved stopway/clearway and a small infill paved area 50.9m long x23m wide to the existing runway with associated drainage and fencing at Weston Aerodrome. The subject site of this application was a farm (known locally as Egan’s farm or Corduff Farm, Backweston).

On the 5th August 1998,  the Irish Aviation Authority wrote to the County Secretary (letter attached),   they stated “With regard to the “notes” submitted by the applicant,  I wish to advise that the Irish Aviation Authority has never stated that the “safety measure of most immediate concern” is the provision of a maneuvering area known as a stopway/clearway.  Also,  the Authority will not be “imposing” safety regulation which require the provision of a stopway or clearway.”  Just as interestingly they also state in the same letter “It should be noted that the ICAO publication entitled “Aerodrome Design Manual Part 1 – Runways” (Doc. 9157)  notes that stopways may frequently be an economical first stage in the extension of an existing runway.  The manual also notes that the establishment of a stopway is operationally equivalent for the aeroplane  to a lengthening of the runway.”

In a letter to Kildare County Council 29th April 2005  the Department of Defense dealt with the issue of code 2 safeguarding and referred to the runway/stopway as follows:
“aeroplane reference field lengths”  are made up of the Take-off run Available (TORA) which is the paved runway,  the Take-off Distance Available (TODA) which may include a clearway,  the Accelerate Stop Distance Available (ASDA).  The implication of this on Weston is that the field length of an 850m long runway plus 450m stopway plus any clearway they  may declare,  makes the runway “code 3” allowing operations of larger aircraft.  However,  safeguarding is only for “code 2 runway.    Later in the same letter the Department  states “It is the contention of this Department that from a safety and operational perspective any development at Weston would require a reorientation of the runway to take traffic away from Baldonnell rather than the current extension to the existing runway which would have the effect of bringing large high powered executive jets into Baldonnell airspace and directly across its flight paths.”

I attach an aerial photograph which shows the end of the stopway and the neighboring lands in County Kildare.

Code 2 Safeguarding   –  Natural Justice

Population statistics are recorded on page 28 of the EIS,  refers to the increase in population of both South Dublin and Kildare,   however it goes on to state “There have not been any significant changes to the number of houses within the vicinity of the Aerodrome in recent years.     Basically the Code 2 Safeguarding had the effect of sterilizing surrounding land from any future development.  There is an issue of natural justice,  in that the safeguarding was imposed on the neighboring properties without any compensation.     Weston,  which is a wholly commercial operation,  gained considerable benefit at the expense of neighboring properties.     The proposed “relocation”  may have the effect of sterilizing further land west into Kildare,   however,  should permission be granted,  Weston could in the future seek Code 3 status,  which would impose further restrictions on the surrounding area and accommodate larger aircraft;  these issues must be thoroughly explored in the context of this application.

Prior to the imposition of the Code 2 Safeguarding Kildare County Council received the following legal advice.
“the permission granted 98/867 could not be considered to be for what constitutes and “Airport”  as the permission does not allow normal take off and landing.  Therefore the claim that “the current use of the property as an Airport is permitted by planning permission”  is fundamentally unfounded in fact.  No permission for an Airport was ever applied for,  let alone granted for the “property” i.e.  Corduff Stud Farm,  Backweston Park,  Leixlip,  Co. Kildare.   It was always a stud farm right up to 14/8/03 when Weston machines moved in.  Except for the stopway clearway applied for in 98/876 the Aerodrome facility at Weston with its code 1 status is wholly located in County Dublin.   The unauthorised runway of 700mx35m  plus built on foot of the permission granted for a stopway/clearway would constitute a major material change in the use permitted and would have to be applied for stating the full extent of the proposed development.

Safety Reasons?

On each occasion Weston have applied for permission they have stated it was for safety reasons.   Weston is a wholly commercial operation,  the intention of such a facility is  to maximize profits for the owners of the establishment.   Communities and individuals who live in close proximity to the Aerodrome have more than a vested interest in safety,  however,  in addition to safety issues such as the potential use by larger aircraft,  the profile of use of the stopway/clearway,   as referred to in the unauthorised development above,   indicate the commercial aspect of the development are at least as important to the applicant as safety.

I would remind the Council that this Aerodrome is located in close proximity to built up area’s,  there are schools,  multinational Industries,  a motorway and there is an expectation that development will occur on land in close proximity to the flight paths,  which may further restrict  aircraft movements.  In the non technical summary the applicant states;  “the site is located in a semi rural area which is surrounded by agricultural land and ribbon one off housing along the roadway etc. That,  I believe,  is an inaccurate description and if the EIS is based on this premise then it is a false premise.   I also wish to point out Weston   exists within an area where there are airspace conflicts i.e. Dublin Airport and Baldonnell.

• Planning Application 98/876 for a stopway/clearway – was sought on  safety grounds.
• Planning Application 05/2699 and 06/334 – sought the widening of  the stopway/clearway  –   for safety reasons.
• Code 2 Safeguarding – was sought for safety reasons.
• Current application – states the objective of changing the runway layout is to increase safety at Weston.

Noise

The EIS, refers to Aircraft noise and in so doing minimizes its impact, in fact noise has been a constant problem to neighboring communities over many years.   One part of the problem is the non adherence to the defined flight paths,  something I have personally witnessed on many occasions.  I attended one of the briefing meetings held at Weston Aerodrome last Autumn,  at which members of the public made similar complaints,  there is a basic lack of trust,  because of constant breaches of planning regulations,  flight paths etc.

Combined Action on Weston Aerodrome – Objection

I wish to support the substance of the objection made by the Combined Action on Weston Aerodrome group on  4th January 2009.      They refer to the proposed increase in runway length and the potential intensification of use at Weston.   The potential of a further imposition of  Category 3c which would allow larger aircraft to take off and land there.    They correctly point to the fact that there is currently no permission for a runway in Kildare,  what is being sought “relocation”  assumes a previous permission exists.   They also highlight  their concerns in relation to potential night time operations.

In Summary:

• A large extension to the runway is being sought.
• Planning permission is being sought  for a Runway on Weston lands in Kildare, for the first time.
• There is an unresolved issue in relation to an unauthorised development,  yet this application is not seeking a retention,  this I believe is sufficient grounds on its own for a refusal,  in that planning laws provide for retention, however,  the fees vary from a new application etc.
• Weston  is a commercial operation and the application should be viewed as such.
• Code 2 Safeguarding may be further expanded and  Code 3 ultimately sought.
• The constant problem with noise is inadequately dealt with in the EIS,  it is presumed the noise problem is  contained within the site,  in fact it extends to the flight paths,  particularly at the take off and landing stages.

For the reasons stated above I am seeking a refusal to this application.

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Posted by catherinemurphy on January 11, 2009. Filed under Celbridge,Leixlip,Planning & Development. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.