Planning consultations

Subject/Scenario

CAA Involvement

Contact Details

Aviation stakeholder engagement

Please refer to our Obstacles overview webpage

Cranes

Any crane operations associated with planned developments should be in accordance with our guidance on the subject, detailed in CAP 1096 and on the Crane notification webpage.

Developments at (or near) aerodromes

In all cases, aerodrome safeguarding responsibility rests with the aerodrome licence holder / operator, not the CAA. Accordingly, any LPA enquiry concerning a specific development that might have aerodrome safeguarding implications should be forwarded directly to the relevant aerodrome licence holder / operator.

From a more strategic perspective, it is the published government advice that local development frameworks and other strategic planning documents include aeronautical safeguarding as policy. This applies not only to the officially safeguarded civil aerodromes, but also to other civil aerodromes where unofficial safeguarding procedures have been agreed between the operator / licensee and LPA.

Town and Country Planning legislation includes a requirement to notify the CAA, the Secretary of State for Defence or the aerodrome operator, as appropriate, where a proposed development consists of the installation, alteration or replacement of a mast within 3 kilometres of the perimeter of an aerodrome. In all such cases, our advice is that the appropriate contact is the aerodrome licence holder/operator and the notification should be made directly to the aerodrome concerned.

Aviation safeguarding responsibility extends beyond that associated with physical safeguarding and includes technical safeguarding to ensure the integrity of communications and navigation systems. The safeguarding of such systems is the responsibility of aerodrome licensees and their Air Traffic Service providers. Additionally, the nature of Instrument Flight Procedure (IFP) design demands that a separate safeguarding assessment of proposed development or construction and temporary obstacles be undertaken against current and any possible future IFPs.

Developments that may affect military aerodromes should also be brought to the attention of the Safeguarding Department within the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, to ensure that military aircraft safety is taken into consideration.

Gas venting and flaring

The venting and flaring of gas might have a potential impact upon the safe operation of aircraft in the immediate vicinity. Any plan associated with a facility that is expected to vent or flare gas, either routinely or in an emergency, should be brought to the attention of the CAA.

CAA Airspace Regulation

Granting of planning permission contrary to objection by an officially safeguarded civil aerodrome or NATS

It is essential that we are informed immediately whenever a LPA is minded to grant permission for a proposed development to which an officially safeguarded civil aerodrome or NATS has objected. This applies to all NATS sites and to the officially safeguarded aerodromes in England, Wales and Scotland.

The points of contact for such notifications are:

When wind turbines are involved – CAA Windfarms

When wind turbines are not involved – CAA Aerodromes

Nuclear installations

In accordance with aviation legislation, UK facilities such as nuclear power stations are typically afforded an element of protection from aviation activity through the establishment of a Restricted Area (RA) encompassing each individual site. Aviation activity within any RA is limited to that specifically permitted by the legislation. We will need to be involved in any related planning process for nuclear installations. Any such planning processes should be notified to the CAA.

CAA Airspace Regulation

Planning appeals

We need not be kept informed of planning appeals unless we have previously provided related comment or the appeal has specific civil aviation relevance.

Wind turbines

Notwithstanding any future introduction of associated permitted development rights, we are willing to provide input to LPAs in respect of individual wind turbine proposals and more strategic development plans. Our policy and guidelines on wind turbines are detailed in CAP 764.

Please also see our Useful links and contacts for obstacles webpage.