East Midlands Airport has launched its Sustainable Development Plan for public consultation.
The new Sustainable Development Plan will allow the airport to sustainably meet the opportunity for growth, whilst maintaining the role of being responsible for the environment in which the airport operates. The plan outlines targets until 2030 and is an update to the Master Plan, which was published in 2006.
The review is being completed in line with the Government’s 2013 Aviation Policy Framework, which is supportive of sustainable growth and regular updates to airport Master Plans.
Within the document, the airport sets out their plans in a number of areas: Economy and surface access, land, environment and community, which includes progress made since 2006 and objectives for the next five years.
Neil Robinson, Corporate Social Responsibility Director for M.A.G, owner of East Midlands Airport said: “We made a commitment in 2006 when we launched the original masterplan, to update the document every five years to ensure that our plans remain relevant. After one of the worst recessions in 100 years, we are now entering an exciting time for the Airport and it is important that we report on and update the commitments we have made.”
Key targets from the plan:
- Plan to maintain pre-recession growth to provide the capability and capacity to handle 10 million passengers and 1.2m tonnes cargo per year
- Maintain and develop EMA’s role as the largest UK express freight airport
- Work with regional partners so that the local economy can capitalise on the international connectivity and the economic benefits of the airport
- Proposal to reduce night noise limit by 25%
- Continue to support the growth of existing and the development of new public transport links
- Introduce additional environmental measures including: increase on-site renewables, zero waste to landfill by 2015/16, install electric vehicle charging points for passengers, explore installing fixed electrical ground power for aircraft on stand and look into the possibility of establishing a low emission zone at the airport
- Review and update the noise penalty scheme and the noise contour to provide an enduring ‘noise envelope’
- Introduce a Departures Code of Practice, including Continuous Climb Departures and introduce a new noise and track monitoring system
- Maintain the Sound Insulation Grant Scheme and continue to manage the Community Fund
- Increase the number of Aerozone visits by 30% to 5,000 visits per year
- Develop on-site employment networks and develop the employability programmes through the work of the Airport Academy and support education into employment by extending the facility to offer programmes for 16 – 18 year olds
- Achieve a score of 30% of all colleagues taking part in community volunteering activities
David Ralph, chief executive of D2N2, the Local Enterprise Partnership for Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, said: “East Midlands Airport’s managing director Andy Cliffe has already talked directly to the D2N2 Board about their plans, of which we are supportive.
“The initial discussion saw our board members particularly highlight the need to increase the number of business destinations that can be reached from the airport and also the need to increase the customer experience.
“The D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership believes increasing the economic footprint and ensuring sustainable growth at the airport is a crucial component of our Growth Plan.”
East Midlands Airport is keen to get the opinions of the public and the local communities and is beginning the 12 week consultation period today.
A series of outreach events have been arranged in the local communities and visitors are encouraged to attend to speak with one of the airport team members about the plan.
Details for the outreach events are below:
East Leake, March 3, East Leake Academy, 16:00hrs – 19:00hrs
Diseworth, March 5, Diseworth Heritage Centre, 16:00hrs – 19:00hrs
Aston on Trent, March 10, All Saints Heritage Centre, 16:00hrs – 19:00hrs
Kegworth, March 12, Kegworth Parish Rooms, 16:00hrs – 19:00hrs
Melbourne, March 19, Melbourne Assembly Rooms, 16:00hrs – 19:00hrs
Castle Donington, March 26, Castle Donington Parish Rooms, 16:00hrs – 19:00hrs
A draft version of the sustainable development plan documents can be viewed on the airport’s website: www.eastmidlandsairport.com/developmentplan and all thoughts are welcomed.
Neil continued: “It’s paramount that we engage with our stakeholders on this and we’re keen to get out and talk to people face to face. In addition to the community outreach events, we will also be liaising with our local MP’s, parish councils and staff members.”
The final version of the Sustainable Development Plan will be produced after consideration of the views and comments from the consultation period and is expected to be published in full in summer 2014.
