The Independent Commission on Civil Aviation Noise (ICCAN), set up in 2018, is to be wound down this month and its functions handled by the Civil Aviation Authority.
The decision was made by aviation minister Robert Courts following an independent review.
ICCAN was established to help ensure that the needs of local communities are “properly taken into account” when considering the noise impacts of airport expansion, and to help ensure that noise impacts of airspace changes are properly considered.
However, Courts concluded that its functions would be “more efficiently performed” by the aviation regulator, which he said, already has a wider environmental remit.
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“This will help ensure that noise is considered alongside other policy outcomes on the basis of high quality research and advice,” the minister added.
The CAA will take on the majority of ICCAN’s former role from April 2022.
The authority also plans to establish a new environment panel to provide it with independent expert advice on a range of environmental issues including carbon, air-quality and noise.
ICCAN’s existing functions not transferred to the CAA will remain within the Department for Transport.
Courts said: “Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic there has been a reduction in aircraft movements in most areas, and with it a reduction in associated noise, but as the government focuses on building back better and ensuring a successful UK aviation sector for the future, aviation noise will increase from current levels.
“It is therefore vital that government has appropriate and credible advice on aviation noise related matters.”
The move came as the government removed a hurdle to expansion of Heathrow by refusing to review its decision to approve development of a third runway despite climate change concerns.
Environmental group Communities Against Gatwick Npise and Emissions (CAGNE) said: “It is clear by the minister’s announcement that the government has recognised that ICCAN has been too effective in disclosing the true impact of aviation noise on residents.
“To transfer this role back to the CAA is a step backwards for understanding how much aircraft noise impacts people’s lives and wellbeing.
“We now face the CAA playing judge and jury again with people’s lives as they are too heavily involved in aviation to allow for a balanced voice when it comes to aircraft noise over existing areas and potentially new with the modernisation of airspace.
“As the aviation industry moves forward in seeking to expand airports with little, if any, consideration or understanding of the impact of aircraft noise, this move is a sad reflection on this government of what is important to them.”
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