AN Otley resident living beneath the Leeds Bradford Airport flight path says aircraft noise is regularly disrupting her sleep and has questioned whether proposed compensation measures would adequately address the impact on local communities.
Ann Forsaith, 71, who lives on Sunnydale Crescent, off Bradford, Road, with her husband Martin Hemingway, 72, said aircraft noise has become a significant issue since the couple moved to the area three years ago.
Ann is speaking out after Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) submitted proposals to Leeds City Council seeking what it describes as a 'modernisation' of its night-time operating conditions.
Alongside the application, the airport has announced plans for a new Night Noise Insulation Scheme aimed at supporting homes and community facilities most affected by aircraft noise.
The proposed scheme would offer grants towards measures including improved glazing, ventilation upgrades and, for the first time at a UK airport, funding for bedroom air conditioning in eligible properties.
Ann and Martin have been upgrading their 1930s-built home to improve its environmental performance and recently paid extra to install acoustic glazing in their front bedroom in an effort to reduce noise from passing aircraft.
"We're already regularly woken up just after six o'clock every morning by flights, and sometimes during the night," said Mrs Forsaith.
She said aircraft noise is particularly noticeable when spending time outdoors.
"If we're in the garden, you literally just have to stop your conversation and wait for the plane to go over before you start talking again."
Mrs Forsaith criticised Leeds Bradford Airport's proposed noise mitigation measures, arguing they would arrive too late to benefit residents affected by any increase in flights.
"The offer isn't until at least 2030, but their plan is for these extra night flights to start next year," she said. "Who would trust Leeds Bradford Airport not to break the rules again?"
She also questioned how many households would qualify for support.
"Thousands of people are affected under the flight path. How many of them are actually going to get help?"
Mrs Forsaith said the noise has changed how she uses her home, particularly during warmer weather.
"I always used to sleep with the bedroom window open, but I can't anymore because of the noise," she said. "That's affected the air quality in the house and I've woken up with headaches."
She also raised concerns about proposals to provide air conditioning as part of future noise insulation packages.
"Who's going to pay for the electricity to run it?" she asked. "Some people would be burning more fossil fuels to generate the electricity."
While acknowledging the economic benefits and jobs provided by the airport, Mrs Forsaith said she remains opposed to further expansion.
"I know people need to fly sometimes and it creates jobs, but this is about expansion, which is exactly the wrong thing that we should be thinking about now."
She added that air pollution associated with increased aircraft activity was another concern.
"It's the pollution that worries me. You can't see it."
Campaign group GALBA (Group for Action on Leeds Bradford Airport) has also urged Leeds City Council to reject the airport's application.
GALBA chairman Nick Hodgkinson said: "The word 'modernisation' hides a multitude of sins. What LBA really wants is permission to fly thousands more planes at night, especially in the summer season. They also want permission for an unlimited number of flights between 6am and 11.30pm."
He added: "There's a mountain of medical research to show the damage that would be done to human health from such frequent noise disturbance, especially at night."
Mr Hodgkinson described the insulation proposal as "a blatant attempt to distract people from the facts", arguing that additional flights would bring increased noise, air pollution and environmental impacts.
He said: "Mr Hodder’s offer to pay ‘towards’ (not all of) the costs of noise insulation is a blatant attempt to distract people from the facts: every extra flight means more noise, more air pollution and more climate damage."
Announcing the proposals last month Leeds Bradford Airport said they "strike a balance between protecting residents and supporting economic growth by retaining an overall noise cap while introducing targeted community support measures".
The airport argues the changes would modernise operating conditions that have remained largely unchanged for more than 30 years, bringing them in line with current aviation practices while maintaining environmental safeguards.
LBA chief executive Vincent Hodder said the airport's Vision 2030 strategy and regeneration programme would strengthen Yorkshire's connectivity, create jobs and boost the regional economy. He said the proposed changes would encourage the use of quieter, cleaner aircraft without increasing the airport's overall noise footprint.
Mr Hodder said: "This is about creating a stronger, more sustainable and better-connected Yorkshire for the decades ahead. The QCS LBA is applying for is set to match the existing noise footprint. The same noise limits, allocated differently."
A report on the proposed Night Noise Insulation Scheme is included in the airport's planning application available via the Leeds City Council Planning Portal (Ref: 26/04635/FU). It is out for public consultation until Wednesday, September 23.
Share