A Tolhurst welcomed everyone to the October meeting of the Airport Consultative Committee (ACC). 

Apologies for absence were noted as above. 

A Tolhurst opened the meeting setting the current scene.  He wondered if this would be the last time that the Committee would meet virtually?  While some Covid indicators are positive others are stubbornly negative and there is every reason still to be cautious.

The outlook for the Aviation industry is looking up with many restrictions being eased and increasingly people are booking flights, for holidays and business.

While, globally, a number of airlines have gone out of business since the start of the epidemic no less than 120 airline start-ups were announced between January 2020 and August 2021: which is a boost for the industry.  The expansion has been in passenger and cargo services.

There has also been significant progress on the environment front with several companies developing electric-powered aircraft: for example, Rolls Royce has a model on trial at RAF Boscombe Down, with test results showing excellent progress.  And there is also rapid development on the Sustainable Aviation Fuel front.

So, despite facing major challenges, the future for Aviation is looking brighter:  and, no doubt, the Committee would hear later about progress locally.  He also anticipated that, the Committee would also hear more about developments such as working with AMRC.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the ACC meeting held on 15^th July 2021 be agreed as a correct record. 

i)          ACC Newsletter

A Tolhurst said that Members of the Noise Monitoring and Environmental Sub-Committee had reported that they had not seen the ACC newsletter in the local editions of the Today magazine. 

The Committee had suggested that the newsletter should also be published in the local editions of the Arrow magazine, Doncaster Gazette and Thorne Times. 

It was agreed that K Stow and A Tolhurst would discuss wider circulation of the newsletter after today’s meeting.  ACTION: K Stow & A Tolhurst. 

ii)         Defibrillators in the Community

A Tolhurst reported that Members of the Noise Monitoring and Environmental Sub-Committee had queried where the defibrillators would be installed in the local community. 

K Stow replied that it would be the ACC’s responsibility to advise the airport and agree the locations in the local community where the defibrillators should be installed.  It was noted that DSA would be pleased to fund a maximum of five defibrillations in the community. 

It was agreed that the Committee Secretary would email Members absent at today’s meeting to obtain suggestions for possible locations.  ACTION: A Shirt

As the Independent Commission on Civil Aviation Noise ceases operations on 30 September 2021, the ICCAN Commissioners have written to MP Robert Courts in order to express what are in their views the priority areas of work to be undertaken on aviation noise.

The Committee noted the contents of a letter to Robert Courts MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, from the ICCAN Commissioners in order to express what are in their views the priority areas of work to be undertaken on aviation noise. 

The Committee were informed that, following an independent review of the Independent Commission on Civil Aviation Noise (ICCAN) commissioned by the DfT earlier this year, a Written Statement from the Minister for Aviation had announced that ICCAN would be wound down in September and the majority of its functions transferred to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) from April 2022. 

A Tolhurst made the Committee aware that, in a report published on the DfT’s website reviewing the work of ICCAN, there was one recommendation stating that, "one alternative to ICCAN at a local level, was the suggestion that Airport Consultative Committees (ACCs) could be ‘beefed up’ as Arm’s-Length Bodies (ALBs) from the DfT, with extra funding and expertise". In addition, options involving an ‘enhanced ACC’ should be considered.  

The Committee noted that the UKACCs Secretariat were currently in discussion with the DfT around the recommendations. 

A Tolhurst was hopeful that UKACCs would resist the ALB option, due to there being a risk that individuals would be appointed to the ACCs, not necessarily from local authorities. 

The Committee discussed the recommendations.  Members’ were strongly of the opinion that ACCs were the correct vehicle to engage with the local community and take account of local views.  It was difficult to see how this could be achieved if individuals were appointed by the DfT. 

K Stow added that the airport would also resist any changes to the ACC’s governance structure.  The airport would be happy to provide any written comments if required, in the future.

A Tolhurst agreed to keep the Committee updated with developments.  

RESOLVED – That the contents of the letter to Robert Courts MP be noted. 

K Stow provided the Committee with a verbal update on airport business focusing on airlines, passenger numbers and GatewayEast rail. 

The following key points were noted:

·      Following the slight relaxation of Government travel restrictions, there had been an uplift in movements at DSA with consumer confidence remaining cautious.  Passengers were only travelling when they needed to do so.

·      Airlines were currently in a fragile position and were having to take a leap of faith in the capacity in which they put on sale.  As result, load factors at DSA were currently very low.  In September, the load factor at DSA had been 57%. 

·      DSA had observed that the leisure market was beginning to pick up more quickly than passengers visiting friends and relatives. 

·      A re-forecasting exercise had recently been undertaken by DSA to estimate passenger numbers up to March 2022. 

At the beginning of the current financial year 2021/22, DSA had taken a very cautious approach in relation to the estimated passenger throughput at the airport with 375,000 passengers expected to depart from DSA.  In 2019, DSA had operated 1.2 million two-way passengers. 

·      DSA were currently forecasting 1.7 million passengers in 2022/23, based on capacity currently on sale.  This was growth of 56% versus pre-pandemic levels.  An update would be provided at the January ACC meeting when slot fillings had been undertaken. 

·      DSA’s management team had recently hosted a visit with Wizz Air’s UK Managing Director, Marion Geoffroy and Freddie Brodermann, Senior Commercial Manager, Wizz Air.  During the visit, the delegation had received a tour of the airport site and visited both Doncaster Town Centre and Sheffield City Centre. 

·      In September, Wizz Air had reported a 15.9% decrease in carbon dioxide released per passenger.

·      In relation to Wizz Air’s first based aircraft at DSA, it was noted that the aircraft was operating, however, it was not operating fully with reduced frequencies. 

·      A second based Wizz Air aircraft would join DSA in May 2022.  Following the signing of a new agreement with DSA, there was also additional aircraft committed to DSA.

·      As part of the new agreement with Wizz Air, a number of additional new routes and low cost flights were on sale for Summer 2022 to popular leisure destinations such a Spain, the Canary Islands, Turkey, Portugal, Bulgaria and Crete. 

Town Councillor Cropley referred to the ACC Newsletter.  He suggested that it would be very beneficial to include a reminder in the next newsletter setting out details of the destinations where people can fly to from DSA.   

K Stow acknowledged Town Councillor Cropley’s suggestion and agreed to discuss further with colleagues after today’s meeting.  ACTION: K Stow

·      TUI had seen suppressed growth with no significant passenger demand for Winter holidays.  TUI were currently planning accordingly around passenger demand. 

·      TUI had seen strong performance in advance sales for Summer 2022 holidays, which were now in excess of 30% sold. 

·      DSA had recently taken the strategic decision not to move forward with a further low cost  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

N Biddle provided the Committee with a verbal update on Peel Land and Property development issues. 

The following updates were noted:-

·      Planning consent had now been granted by Doncaster MBC in relation to the GatewayEast Central Plaza development.

·      Occupier and investor interest was building in relation to the Innovation Quarter site and a site close to the airport terminal building. 

Referring to the Community Issues Matrix, Members’ were provided with the following updates:-

Flooding on First Avenue

Work had been undertaken by an engineer who had identified that soak away capacity needed to be increased and the existing filter trench replaced.

Work was currently taking place with Doncaster MBC’s Highways and Drainage Engineers to develop an agreed solution, budget and remediation programme by the end of October 2021. 

Councillor Cox wished to place his thanks on record to Peel Land and Property for the work undertaken to date. 

Pembridge Park Estate Flooding

It was reported that a survey had now been undertaken and revealed that the main cause of flooding was from the footbridge culvert pipes that had been laid so that water had to flow ‘uphill’.  AECOM had proposed options for remedial works to solve the problem. 

Design options had now been shared with Doncaster MBC Drainage officers with work taking place to review with officers where responsibility lies for correcting the problem. 

G Finch asked if M Sewell could undertake a review of the Planning Conditions and Section 106 Agreements for the site.  M Sewell acknowledged the request. 

There was a target in place to agree the design solution and programme for resolution by the end of October 2021. 

Children’s Play Facility

The Committee noted that the transfer of the play facility and sports pitch to Auckley Parish Council was scheduled to be complete by 31 October 2021. 

Anti-social behaviour Old Bawtry Road and obstruction of a public right of way (spotters) Quarry tenant and Complaints regarding access to old Bawtry Road access for Spotters

The Committee were informed that Doncaster MBC had now determined that existence of a Public Rights of Way has been proved and had advertised a proposed modification to the definitive footpath map to record this.

Discussions were on-going with the Rights of Way officer as to what safety measures could be put in place to try and segregate pedestrians from commercial vehicles accessing quarries and motocross operations.

Peel Land and Property were aware that alleged anti-social behaviour was continuing to take place on Old Bawtry Road.  Collectively, any anti-social behaviour needed to be reported to the Police. 

Councillor Cox queried if widening of the junction at Old Bawtry Road to accommodate wider vehicles was still being investigated. 

G Finch replied that, for any potential future planning application there would need to be a proposal included to close this stretch of road and an alternative diversion route implemented.  In relation to the current position, the Quarry and Waste operations were being carried out under a different consent, which was prior to the consent for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

G Finch provided the Committee with a verbal update in relation to Peel Land and Property planning issues. 

The following updates were noted:-

·      The GatewayEast Central Plaza scheme planning application had been unanimously supported by Doncaster MBC’s Planning Committee. 

·      Following approval by the Planning Committee, Peel Land and Property had become aware of social media comments following a Doncaster Free Press article with the headline of major ‘High Street and Plaza’ development. 

The headline had led to social media coverage and concerns being raised if this would affect Doncaster Town Centre. 

To provide context, Members were informed that the proposed development would provide local amenities, which included restaurants, a pub, coffee shop, hotels and potentially a mix of shops, apartments and/or offices, which would not compete with Doncaster Town Centre. 

A Tolhurst felt that Peel Land and Property should either provide comments to counter the social media comments, or provide a briefing session to make local residents aware of the Central Plaza application. 

Following discussion, it was felt that a separate proactive communication should be issued by Peel Land and Property on their social media channels to address the concerns raised. 

·      The Committee were made aware that Peel Land and Property were currently preparing a planning application for the first phase of 280 residential units in the residential zone South of the Central Plaza at Hurst Wood. 

Public consultation would be issued in November with a target of submitting the planning application prior to Christmas. 

·      The Committee were informed that the Doncaster MBC Local Plan had been adopted on 23 September 2021. 

RESOLVED – That the Committee noted the updates provided. 

K Stow reported that, prior to the Coronavirus pandemic a full solar scheme for DSA had been developed ready for investment. 

During the course of the last eight months, a full review of the scheme had been undertaken and a revised scheme had now been developed. 

It was agreed that a further update would be provided at the January ACC meeting to inform the Committee of the nature of the scheme, when the scheme would be installed and information presented on the proportion of the airport’s energy consumption the solar scheme was likely to deliver.  ACTION: K Stow

RESOLVED – That the Committee noted the update provided. 

RESOLVED – That the Committee noted the draft minutes of the Noise Monitoring and Environmental Sub-Committee held on 23 September 2021. 

RESOLVED – That future meetings of the Airport Consultative Committee be held on:-

Thursday 27 January 2022 (AGM and Ordinary)

Thursday 7 April 2022

Thursday 14 July 2022

Thursday 6 October 2022

All meetings will commence at 10:00 am. 

Members would be notified of the meeting arrangements in advance of the meeting.  

i)          Potential Training Flights at Night

A Tolhurst reported that he had received email correspondence from K Moran in relation to a potential request for training schools to undertake flying circuits during the night at DSA from 8pm until 10pm. 

A Tolhurst asked the Committee to provide him with any initial concerns. 

Councillor Cox said that, personally, the local reaction could be mixed.  He felt that further information was needed prior to him making any judgements. 

K Stow agreed to discuss further with K Moran.  ACTION: K Stow

RESOLVED – That the Annual General Meeting and Ordinary ACC meetings be held on Thursday 27 January 2022 at 10:00 am.