City Airport Development Programme (CADP)

We have provided environmental planning, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and sustainability services to London City Airport (LCY) since 2006, helping them secure planning permission for the £500m airport expansion project 'City Airport Development Programme' (CADP).

Challenge

The airport lies in the heart of the London Docklands and is surrounded by residential and other mixed uses. It is therefore in a sensitive location to aircraft noise, air pollution, traffic and other environmental effects. However, importantly, the CADP scheme was founded on a desire to accommodate larger but quieter and more fuel efficient ‘new generation’ aircraft, which would actually lead to a reduction in noise and other emissions over time. It would also promote sustainable surface access travel choices, introduce energy efficient buildings and plant, sustainable drainage systems and other environmental improvements.  Our challenge was to demonstrate these net environmental benefits in an objective and scientifically rigorous way through the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process.

The then Mayor of London directed refusal of the CADP application against the earlier decision of the London Borough of Newham to resolve to grant planning permission.  This was on the sole ground that they considered that inadequate noise mitigation measures were to be provided. 

Solution

Throughout the CADP application and appeal, we took on a lead role in coordinating a multi-discipline consultancy team. This entailed working as an embedded and integral member of the London City Airport (LCY) Planning and Strategy Team, reporting directly to the Director of Planning, Infrastructure and Strategy. We were trusted with this key coordination role because of our excellent technical and project management skills and our ability to foster a common team spirit and editorial consistency between different consultant teams.

We supported LCY in the 9-month Appeal process, including the preparation of a comprehensive Updated Environmental Statement (UES) and provided various supporting evidence in advance of the Planning Inquiry in March 2016.  

For our work on the project, we were presented with the ‘Best Environmental Initiative’ Award by the Airport Operators Association (AOA).