Runway approach lighting consultation

Our proposals

• Our proposals

  We are consulting on proposals to relocate the runway approach lighting 240 metres further east at the eastern end of the runway. This is to ensure Bristol Airport continues to comply with Civil Aviation Authority safety standards when the proposed runway improvements are in place. The runway approach lighting array would continue to extend 570 metres from the relocated landing threshold. 

  No changes are proposed to the runway approach lighting at the western end of the runway, as we do not propose to move the western landing threshold.

  The diagram shows the location of the proposed runway approach lighting.

  

  
  The proposals involve installing additional rows of runway approach lighting, and fencing around those lights, on Felton Common. We would also need to install ducting at a depth of 0.9 metres underneath the Common to provide power to the lighting as well as an agreed access route to allow us to occasionally access the runway approach lights with a maintenance vehicle. 

  The runway approach lighting within Felton Common is required as a result of the proposed eastern runway improvement to ensure that airport operations are no less safe than they are under the existing arrangements.  The runway approach lighting is necessary to aid pilot navigation in all types of aircraft, in all weather conditions.

  The diagram above shows the proposed location of the runway approach lighting. The land shaded light green is owned by Bristol Airport. There are already approach lights within this area all below a metre in height. As a result of the changes to the runway, minor alterations to the positioning of these lights is necessary.

  The land shaded darker green is Felton Common. Within Felton Common, proposed approach lighting would start at 1.25 metres high closest to the A38, gradually increasing to a maximum height of 8.5 metres (similar in height to a lamppost on the A38), to take account of the downwards slope in this part of the Common. The height of the lighting needs to be level and at the correct elevation relative to an aircraft's final descent towards the runway.

  The lighting columns would be spaced at intervals of 30 metres. A 3-metre high fence would enclose the first three columns. Then there would be a wider set of lights, known as a light bar, also enclosed by a 3-metre high fence. Beyond the light bar, there would be four more individual columns with lighting, each having its own 3-metre-high enclosure. The fencing around the lighting is for protection and safety purposes. Access using a vehicle would be required for occasional maintenance and safety checks. 

  We have sought to limit the extent of lighting and land required as much as possible while still being able to comply with the required safety standards which govern aviation operations. 

• Common land ownership

  We recognise that Felton Common is owned and managed on behalf of the community by Winford Parish Council. A number of people have rights as ‘commoners’ to graze livestock on the Common and we appreciate the Common is also well used for recreation.

  Because the nature of the works proposed does not meet the legal test for commons act consent to be granted, we would need to de-register the land required and provide equivalent replacement land. We are keen to hear your views on where this replacement land should be. Land shown in light green on the diagram is within Bristol Airport's private ownership and could be provided as replacement land for the loss of land within Felton Common, ultimately forming a new area of Felton Common.

  There would no longer be a right to roam on the de-registered land, but this right would be available on the replacement land provided.

• Public Safety Zones

  In accordance with Government policy, all UK civil airports including Bristol Airport have established Public Safety Zones (PSZs).

  If our plans to improve our runway are approved the public safety zones at the Airport would need to move east. Within PBZs new or replacement development which would result in an increase in the number of people residing or working with the zones increasing would be prevented.

  We have shown the zones - known as a controlled zone and a restricted zone - on a plan showing the current position and proposed position.

  With our proposed changes, there wouldn’t be any buildings in the highest risk zone (restricted zone) closest to the runway.

  We are working with the Civil Aviation Authority and specialist safety consultants to ensure the changes we make are of an equivalent level of safety or better. 

  You can view the current and proposed public safety zones here.

• Landscape and visual amenity

  The proposed relocated and additional runway approach lighting and associated fencing would be visible from large parts of Felton Common and its surrounds. The tallest lighting column furthest from the runway would be 8.5 metres in height - similar in height to a lamppost on the A38. We recognise that the lights and fencing would introduce man-made features into Felton Common which have the potential to affect the enjoyment of the Common and its surrounds.

  The lighting columns are designed as lattice-like structures rather than being completely solid, which would help to reduce visual impacts. Ordinarily runway approach lighting columns are yellow to aid visibility however, we have reviewed this requirement and propose to use a more neutral colour for the columns in keeping with the local environment to lessen their impact within the landscape. For most parts of Felton Common, the sense of openness and views across the Common and beyond would remain and only a small proportion of the view within the wider landscape is likely to be affected. Longer distance views would continue to be dominated by the sky. 

  Views closer to the lights and fencing would be more affected although walkers and horse-riders would only experience these effects on part of their journey. Existing trees and hedgerows would provide a background from some view points and help to limit impacts from the lower-level lights and associated fencing closer to the A38.

  The current view and the view with proposed lighting can be seen here.

• Ecology and wildlife

  We recognise that Felton Common is designated as a Local Nature Reserve and Site of Nature Conservation Interest. In order to minimise impacts on habitats and species associated with the Common, the majority of the area, which would be enclosed by fencing, would be undisturbed and maintained as grass to help minimise any loss of habitat. We would conduct a series of ecological and habitat specific surveys to ensure that any replacement land has an equivalent value. Taking into account impacts on the Common, we would deliver at least a 10% Biodiversity Net Gain as part of the wider Bristol Airport development proposals.

• Public rights of way

  The proposed location of the runway approach lighting and associated fencing ensures that the existing Bridleways on Felton Common would not be interrupted. Bridleway LA19/93/10, which runs north to south on the Common nearest the A38 would continue to run along the existing hedgerow between the hedgerow and the nearest fenced area. Bridleways LA/19/77/50 and LA19/1/20, which run north west to south east on the Common would be located west of the furthest light and would not be affected by proposed fencing.

• Noise and operations

  The movement of the landing threshold has the potential to increase noise experienced by local residents as aircraft landing would be slightly lower as they descend over the villages and communities to the east of the Airport, including Winford. Aircraft arriving from the east would be around 12.5 metres lower in the sky than they are at present. Preliminary assessment suggests that the increase in noise experienced by residents as a result of this change would be less than 1 decibel for most, and around 1.5 decibels higher in the worst case. A change of 3 decibels is generally regarded as the smallest perceptible difference between two noise levels.

  The changes to the runway would have some noise benefits as departing aircraft would need to use around 5% less thrust when taking off.

  A complete analysis of the noise impacts arising from the proposals including the movement of the landing threshold and changes to the runway will be presented within our planning application.

• Setting of heritage assets

  The proposed runway approach lighting and associated fencing would be around 250 metres away from the nearest Listed Building (Windmill House, grade II) and a Scheduled Monument (the Oval Barrow on Felton Hill 100 metres east of the Round House), with another Scheduled Monument (two confluent bowl barrows on Felton Hill) also located within the Common, around 400 metres away.  The setting of the scheduled monuments on Felton Common, and their proximity to other non-designated historic assets on the Common, contribute to their significance. Felton Common provides a rural character to the setting of the Listed Building, which is largely enclosed by hedgerows.

  The proposed runway approach lighting and fencing would be perceptible in north/north-west views from the Oval Barrow on Felton Hill, which would be visible within the context of the existing airport infrastructure. However, the lighting columns are designed as lattice-like structures rather than solid forms, helping to reduce visual impacts. Views are likely to be limited from Windmill House due to surrounding hedgerows and from the two confluent bowl barrows on Felton Hill due to distance, topography and planting within Felton Common.

Further information

• Would I still be able to walk across the Common and are you affecting any designated walkways or public rights of way?

  There are some informal paths which would be affected, but any detour would be minor due to the gaps maintained between the lighting enclosures. The proposed runway approach lighting layout would avoid the Bridleway which runs north-south.

• Would those who have rights to graze animals on Felton Common still have access?

  Yes, those who graze animals would still have access to the Common, the majority of which would be unaltered. Rights to graze would also be passed onto the replacement land.

• Would the additional lighting harm wildlife?

  Small areas of Felton Common could become less suitable for nocturnal species when the lighting is operated, but we would ensure there is no overall loss in extent or quality of suitable habitat for wildlife.

• If the positioning of the runway lighting is changing, could I experience more noise from aircraft arriving and departing?

  Preliminary assessment suggests that the increase in noise experienced by residents as a result of this change would be less than 1 decibel for most, and around 1.5 decibels higher in the worst case. A change of 3 decibels is generally regarded as the smallest perceptible difference between two noise levels.  The changes to the runway would have some noise benefits as departing aircraft would need to use around 5% less thrust when taking off.

• Would aircraft be lower when approaching or taking off?

  Yes, aircraft would be around 12.5 metres lower in the sky when landing over communities to the east of the Airport. The height of aircraft taking off over communities to the east of the Airport would not change. Aircraft would not be lower when landing from the west, but may be marginally higher when taking off over communities to the west.

• Would the runway be extended on to the Common?

  Our Master Plan to 2040 does not include any plans to extend the runway onto the Common. All works to the runway itself are contained within the boundary of the existing Airport site. 

• Why does the approach lighting to the east of the runway need to move but no changes are required at the western end of the runway?

  We are proposing to improve the taxiway at the far western end of the runway to maximise the usable length of the runway but we are not proposing to move the western landing threshold. 

  We have considered whether we could extend the runway to the west to avoid the need to undertake any development in Felton Common. However, the land off the western end of the runway drops significantly towards Wrington Warren and Goblin Combe.

  Including the runway improvements needed to accommodate larger wide-body aircraft, the required length of an aircraft arrestor bed for safety purposes and the setback needed between the runway strip and the arrestor bed, the total length of level land which would be needed is almost 300 metres. Raising the land to this extent would require a significant amount of fill material (approximately 400,000m3) and would result in a very significant landscape impact, raising the land by at least 20 metres in height over existing ground levels. 

• When would the changes happen?

  We would hope to be able to construct the runway improvements at the same time as runway resurfacing works scheduled during the late 2020s, subject to obtaining planning permission. The runway approach lighting and fencing would need to be erected concurrently when the improvement works are undertaken.