LPC LIVING’s attempt to mitigate the impact of aircraft noise on the rejected Ilford Way proposals was branded ‘madness’ and a ‘joke’ by members of the strategic planning board.

Concerns were raised about aircraft noise when the application was first heard at strategic planning board in July as the development would be located under Manchester Airport’s flight path and one mile from the end of Runway Two.

Members resolved to defer the application to a future meeting so that a Public Health Assessment could be conducted, which would take into account aircraft noise on future occupants.

The findings of this assessment revealed that the aviation noise levels varied from around 63 decibels to the north of the site to around 57 decibels to the south of the site during the day. At night, this reduced to 58 decibels towards the north and 48 decibels to the south.

After meeting with Environmental Health Officers, the applicant submitted a revised Design Code, which incorporated areas of ‘relative tranquillity’ which residents can use outdoors.

This included individual ‘noise canopies’ – a 12m squared acoustic shelter, facing onto each garden, designed to reduce the levels of aircraft noise immediately below it by 15 decibels.

In addition to this, a public area of relative tranquillity would be situated within the area of open space.

Clr George Walton said: “I really do feel that the attempt to mitigate by so-called canopies and quiet area is a joke.

“It’s almost like herding sheep to a tranquil area. If I want a tranquil area, it’s my back garden – that’s where I want to be and anyone buying a house will be the same. It’s their own personal space and they don’t want to trail to some area yards and yards away. It’s totally unrealistic.”

Clr Steve Wilkinson said he was not reassured by the terms used in the application, such as ‘relatively tranquil’, ‘relatively quiet’, and ‘a degree of mitigation’.

“We have a moral responsibility here,” he added. “To put more people under the flight path is wrong.”

Clr Ken Edwards said to suggest an outdoor tranquil space for people who get fed up of planes was a ‘strange idea.’ “To go out into a space that isn’t protected to escape the noise seems to be beyond logic,” he added. “You have a nice garden space and you cover it with plastic sheeting? It’s madness.”