The Airspace Change Organising Group (ACOG) was commissioned by the Department for Transport (DfT) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to produce the Airspace Change Masterplan (ACM).
This sets out a single coordinated implementation plan for airspace changes in the UK up to 2040, and seeks to upgrade UK airspace and deliver quicker, quieter and cleaner journeys.
Covering England, Scotland and Wales, the delivery of modernised airspace is brought forward by airport sponsors and the national air traffic service provider through individual Airspace Change Proposals (ACP) coordinated by ACOG through the ACM programme.
Our team undertook a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) for the ACM. Initially, an SEA Scoping Report and an HRA Screening Report will be prepared and circulated for stakeholder consultation, and this will be publicly available.
These documents saw our specialists analyse a national-level policy and evidence base, review scientific literature, identify objectives, define a precautionary Zone of Influence (ZoI) based on aircraft altitude overflights and resultant potential on the ground impacts.
The HRA focused on Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Ramsar sites, with inclusion of proposed sites for the forenamed designations.
Following SEA Scoping and HRA Screening, we went on to prepare the full SEA and Stage 2 HRA for both the Scottish Cluster (Edinburgh and Glasgow airports) and the southern routes for Gatwick Airport. This involved assessing the alternative airspace routes against the objectives set at EIA Scoping stage. We also undertook added value tasks which included contributing to a peer reviewed guidance note on air quality impacts on sites designated for nature conservation. The purpose of this was to standardise the approach for individual airports undertaking Habitats Regulations Assessments, thereby reducing potential conflicts associated with airspace change at neighbouring airports.
