Noise Action Plan

The current Noise Action Plan is the third for East Midlands Airport and it is based on noise maps prepared by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) showing the situation at the airport in 2016. The Noise Action Plan includes existing and proposed measures to manage aircraft noise and shows how we intend to measure and report progress against our targets. The plan was adopted by Defra in 2019 and runs until 2023.

The Noise Action Plan (2019-2023) and the Supplementary Information are available to download here. There is also a Noise Action Plan Summary for those who just want to read an overview of the plan.

The Draft Noise Action Plan (2024-2028) is available to download here along with an informational video for those who want an overview of the plan.

The public consultation for the draft Noise Action Plan (2024-2028) ran from 23rd May to 31st July 2023 and is now closed.

We have submitted our Noise Action Plan (2024-2028) to Defra. Our Noise Action Plan includes a summary of the feedback received during our consultation and our response to this.

What happens next?

Defra will now review the Plan. We will work with Defra to provide any clarification required as we agree a final NAP. The approved Noise Action Plan will be formally adopted by Defra early in 2024 and published on our website.

Q1: How do I find out about what is in your Noise Action Plan?

You can find details of our current Noise Action Plan (2019-2023) on this website. You can also find details of our draft Noise Action Plan (2024 -2028). The full technical details are in the draft Noise Action Plan document and for an overview, you can watch the information video that explains each section of the draft plan. Both are linked on these web pages.

Q2: What is a Noise Action Plan and why is it needed?

A Noise Action Plan is a five-year plan to assess, consider and manage aircraft noise at the airport, to reduce impacts on communities living around the Airport. It is a key part of delivering broader UK Government noise objectives that are to limit and, where possible, reduce the number of people in the UK significantly affected by aircraft noise.

The Noise Action planning process operates in five-yearly cycles. The aim is for each subsequent Noise Action Plan to build on existing progress to manage the effects of aircraft noise on people.

The Noise Action Plan is our strategy for managing aircraft noise to reduce impacts on communities living around the Airport. The plan includes specific measures or actions, which provide the airport with a clear plan to ensure that the noise impact of our operations is reduced where possible or limited.

Q3: Have the actions in the current 2019-2023 Noise Action Plan been completed?

In the draft Noise Action Plan 2024-2028 you will find an appendix outlining details of all actions from the 2019 – 2023 Noise Action Plan and our progress against them.

Q4: How is progress against the Noise Action Plan measured?

The airport regularly reviews progress against each of the actions. Regular reviews are also completed with the Airport’s Consultative Committee.

Q5: Are actions legally binding?

Yes, Noise Action Plans are a legal requirement under European Union Directive 2002/49/EC relating to the Assessment and Management of Environmental Noise. This Directive is commonly referred to as the Environmental Noise Directive or END. The requirements of the END are transposed by the UK Government in the Environmental Noise (England) Regulations 2006 as amended.

Q6: Can I share my opinions on the draft Noise Action Plan?

The public consultation ran from 23rd May to 31st July 2023 and is now closed.

Q7: Who did you consult with during the 2023 consultation?

As well as the public we also consulted stakeholders including Airport Consultative Committees, Airlines, Airport Operators, Local Authorities and other key local representatives.

Q8: How will you evaluate the consultation feedback you have received and how will this be used in the final Noise Action Plan?

All feedback is now being collated and reviewed to identify key themes. Those key themes are then reviewed to shape the final draft which is submitted to Defra. We will publish a summary of the feedback we received in our final draft.

Q9: Can Noise Action Plans change during their implementation period?

No, once Noise Action Plans are agreed with Defra, these are legally binding for the 5 years they are in place. The only exception to this is in the case of significant change or development to the airport operation, where a new Noise Action Plan may be required.

Q10: Why does the Noise Action Plan contain so much technical information?

The management of aircraft noise at airports is a complicated topic, encompassing many different stakeholders and operations. There is not a one size fits all approach to a Noise Action Plan. To cover all aspects of noise management at the airport the Noise Action Plan is a detailed document.

Acknowledging that this is a very technical document, once the Noise Action Plan is confirmed with Defra, we will be including a summary document that provides a shorter overview of the Noise Action Plan.

Q11: When will the draft Noise Action Plan (2024-2028) be adopted?

Public consultation ended on 31st July. We will now review the feedback we received and prepare the final draft Noise Action Plan which will be submitted to Defra in September 2023. This will be followed by a period of review by Defra, where the airport will work with Defra to clarify any points raised and agree a final Noise Action Plan. The approved Noise Action Plan will be formally adopted by Defra in February 2024 and published on our website.

You can find copies of past Noise Action Plans here:

• EMA Noise Action Plan 2009-2013

• EMA Noise Action Plan 2009-2013 (Summary)

• EMA Noise Action Plan 2013-2018

• EMA Noise Action Plan 2019-2023

• EMA Noise Action Plan 2019-2023 (Summary)