Environment

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Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield is committed to building long-term relationships with the communities living and working in and around the Doncaster area.

• Noise
• Air Quality
• Waste
• Surface Access
• Water
• Vortex Protection Scheme
• Sound Insulation Grant Scheme

Noise

Robin Hood Airport acknowledges that noise remains the impact of greatest concern for local residents to Robin Hood Airport.  Robin Hood Airport have developed a Public Noise Complaints proceedure as approved by the Local Planning Authority to handle, monitor, investigate and report each complaint lodged by members of the public.

Lodging A Complaint

If you wish to contact Robin Hood Airport about aircraft noise you can do this by submitting the online form:

There is also a 24 hour answering service to lodge a complaint: 01302 623623, or alternatively write to:

Environment & Community Manager, Robin Hood Airport, Heyford House, First Avenue, Doncaster DN9 3RH

or email environment@robinhoodairport.com

Please leave your name and address followed by the date of the disturbance, time and any other information to assist the investigation.

Reporting

1. The Environment and Community Manager will respond to the complaint in writing as soon as practical and within one month of the initial complaint being made, explaining the finding of the investigation and any actions taken.
2. Monthly reports will be delivered to Doncaster Metropolitan Council and quarterly reports to the Noise Sub Commitee and Airport Consultative Comitee.  Also, a digest will be produced for the Community Sub Group.  The noise will also be reported in the Annual Report by Robin Hood Airport that is made publicly available. 

To reveiw the Annual Noise Report click on the link below:

Annual Noise Report 2006-2007

Noise Sanctions Scheme

Robin Hood Airport has implemented a Night Noise Sanctions Scheme as part of the Airport's Quiet Operations Policy.  The scheme is designed to apply penalties to those operators whose aircraft when departing at the airport produce noise levels which are considered unreasonable having regard to the expected noise levels for that particular aircraft type.  The imposition of sanctions in the form of financial penalties is to encourage operators to ensure their aircraft are operated as quietly as reasonably possible, and to deter excessively noise movements.  Penalties generated from the scheme are donated to the Airport Community Investment Fund.

Noise & Track Keeping System

Robin Hood Airport have two fixed noise monitors located at Boston Park Farm to the north of the airfield and at the RAF Cadet Centre in Bawtry to the south.  The Track Keeping System combines the data from the two fixed noise monitors with radar data to accurately locate the flight path of aircraft and their noise level. 

Air Quality

The principle pollutants associated with the airport are:

• Nitrogen oxides (NOx) (these give rise to nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
• Fine airbourne particles (PM10)
• Carbon Dioxide (CO2) (a greenhouse gas, but not significant on a local level)
• Hydrocarbons (HCs)

The principal airport related sources of these pollutants are:

• Aircraft engines, including auxiliary power units
• Surface vehicles, both airside and landside
• Ground support equipment
• Power and heat generation plant

The airport continually monitors Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) levels using passive diffusion tubes from seven locations around the airport site and one site next to the Air Traffic Control Tower in partnership with Doncaster MBC.  The (NO2) levels in the vicinity of the airport are difficult to aportion solely to aircraft emmissions alone as (NO2) is comprised from other sources principally road traffic and other industrial activities.  The airport reports air quality levels to the Airport Consulatative Committee (ACC) on an annual basis in the ACC annual report, now named Corporate Social Responsibility Report.

Vehicle Emissions

There is a requirement for all airside vehicles to comply with MOT emissions standards under the Civil Aviation Publication 642 to qualify for an airside pass.  in addition to the regulations the airport has implemented an Air Quality Action Plan to minimise emissions.  The Action Plan sets out measures that will be employed to control the release of the above pollutants to mitigate the impact of the airport on air quality.

Last Call - Offset Your Carbon Emissions Now!

Robin Hood Airport and South Yorkshire Forest have joined together to give passengers the opportunity to contribute to their local environment and take a step towards off-setting the carbon emissions from their flight.

The new initiative know as 'Last Call!' provides passengers with the opportunity to contribute to their local environment before or after taking a flight from Robin Hood Airport by helping to plant trees in the nearby South Yorkshire Forest.

There are two ways in which passengers can support the scheme: either by donating money in the collection box which is located in the Departure Lounge or by contributing online at http://www.lastcall.org.uk/

Robin Hood Airport, part of the Peel Airports Group, is the first UK Airport Group to instigate such a passenger Carbon Sequestration Scheme and is looking forward to a long-term sustainable partnership with South Yorkshire Forest that will allow the scheme to grow in future years to come.

Contributions made by passengers will go towards planting trees to help absorb some of the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from their flight.  The Airport Company has also pledged to match passenger contributions made at the collection box, therefore doubling the amount going towards this worthy cause.

Visit http://www.lastcall.org.uk/ to make your donation

Waste Management

The airport manages waste on behalf of the airlines, terminal tenants and all other tenants on the airport site.  The airport has implemented recycling initiatives for glass with Biffa Waste Sevices and has developed a partnership with Doncaster Community Recycling Partnership (DCRP) to collect office white paper, plastic and aluminium.  The airport also seperates and bales cardboard which is sold on the revenue is donated back to the Airport Community Investment Fund.  In 2008 we have raised just over £500 from our cardboard recycling. 

Surface Access

The aim at Robin Hood Airport is:

"to ensure that the airport maximises the opportunities for sustainable and inclusive transport access for passengers and staff"

Sustainable transport includes the use of public transport, walking, cycling, car sharing and other innovative transport initiatives in an efficient and viable manner.

The airport has implemented an Airport Surface Access Strategy (ASAS), a document to develop, implement and promote sustainable surface access for passengers and staff to the airport.  The model share targets within the ASAS are monitored by the Airport Transport Forum (ATF).

The ATF has three specific objectives which have been set out in the DfT's Transport White Paper: "A New Deal for Transport: Better for Everyone":

1. To draw up and agree challenging short-term and long term targets for decreasing the proportion of journeys to the airport by private car, whilst increasing the share of journeys made by public transport/sustainable transport by air passenegers and employees.
2. To devise a strategy for achieving targets, for incorporation in the Local Transport Plan and the Regional Transport Strategy.
3. To oversee the implementation of the strategy.

In 2007, 7% of all passenger trips to and from the airport were made by sustainable modes of transport, which is encouraging from 3% in 2006.  The aim is to increase this to 20% by the end of 2015.

Water

Robin Hood Airport manages all surface water and sewage generated on site at the purpose built Airport Water Treatment Works (WWTW).

The Pollution Control Monitoring System monitors all surface runoff water flows from operational areas for Total Organic Carbon (TOC) and Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels at each of the flow diversion chambers.  Depending on the TOC and BOD levels the water is diverted to either the clean lagoon for discharge of the dirty water lagoon for treatment.  The Environment Agency has set discharge consent levels in respect of the quality of water discharge to Mosham Drain and Nursery Cottage Drain.

Fire Training Ground

The airport has a dedicated Fire Training Ground to stimulate emergency scenarios.  The Training Ground has a 100,000L catchment tank to capture foams and other substances used during training allowing any contaminated water to be dealt with appropriately.

Ground Water

The airport is located on the Sherwood Sandstone Aquifer and is therefore required to closely monitor groundwater quality.  The groundwater quality is monitored on a monthly basis via nine boreholes located on the airfield.  Before any potentially polluting activity can take place on the airfield the Airport Environment Manager is made aware to assess the substance and nature of the activity.

Grey Water Recycling 

The toilet flush system in the airport terminal is fed by a grey water harvesting system from surface runoff from the airport car park.  The system allows the airport to minimise water consumption and recycle water that would normally fall directly to the Airport WWTW.

Vortex Protection Scheme

Vortices are circulating currents of air caused by moving aircraft.  Most vortices are broken by the natural flow of air before they reach ground level however, sometimes they can reach roof level and cause tiles to slip.

Robin Hood Airport has a Vortex Damage Rectification Scheme for residents who have experienced vortex damage to their property.  Vortex damage to any property must be reported to the Airport Company immediately so an investigation can take place.  The airport is not liable for the vortex damage, as it is the ailine operator which causes the damage.  This is governed by Section 76 (2) of the 1982 Civil Aviation Act. In such cases where it is not possible to identify the airline operator, the Airport Company will repair the damage as part of its commitment to the local community.

Sound Installation Grant Scheme

Robin Hood Airport implemented a Sound Insulation Grant Scheme (SIGS) for the opening of the Airport in 2005.  The scheme was launched with just over 50 properties in the scheme.  In 2007, the airport extended the scheme to incorporate a total of 247 properties, over and above what was required by the airport in the S106 Agreement.

A brochure is available which briefly explains the basis of SIGS.  You can download the SIGS brochure by clicking on the link below

Sound Insulation Grant Scheme 2007 document

Should your residential property fall within the scheme you will be notified by the Airport Company.  We hope that having read this brochure, you will appreciate how the scheme may benefit you.

Should you have any immediate questions, please contact our Environment & Community Manager environment@robinhoodairport.com or call 0871 220 2210.