The reason for withdrawing the application is that approximately 6 weeks before they were due to determine the application the planning authority required additional information.
They required the current operation to be described in greater detail:
Numbers of flights and frequency of flights split in to arrivals and departures
Hours of operation
Flight types, Flight paths, Aircraft types (including helicopters)
Noise levels for current operation
Ground lighting
Runway safety margins
Surface drainage, Sewage disposal and management, Water supply arrangements
Car parking facilities, Fuel storage areas
Instrument Landing System
Access arrangements.
Amongst other information required
Identify any rare, declining, protected or otherwise important flora, fauna or habitats within the site
Collect information on insects, mammals and birds present or that may use the site, including those that may use the site and not present during site visits
A full survey of protected species
A noise modelling exercise to determine “with development” and “without development” scenarios
Vortex wake effects on nearby buildings
Impact on public safety zones
Archaeological and historical environment to be considered as part of the Environmental Survey.
The potential impact of the new runway on the landscape and visual amenity of the surrounding area.
The penultimate paragraph of the letter stated “please submit the requested information…within 21 days of the date of this letter.” “…failure to provide enough information to complete the ES will result in refusal of the planning application.”
It was quickly apparent that all the required information could not be obtained within the specified time frame therefore it was decided to withdraw the application.
The data required is now being gathered and a new application will be submitted in 2009.