South Ayrshire Local Plan

Glasgow Prestwick International Airport

Glasgow Prestwick International Airport (GPIA) is situated to the north of Prestwick in an area widely regarded as being an excellent location for such a use in that it is not densely populated, and comprises relatively flat land. It also has favourable local weather patterns which enable the airport to operate with the lowest number of weather related flight cancellations compared to any other major U.K. commercial airport. This unique locational advantage has historically been maintained by ensuring development not serving the airport does not jeopardise its current or envisaged operational activities. Such an approach is maintained in the policies of this Local Plan.

A study into the potential of the Airport, and the implications for land requirements has been undertaken in association with the Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan Committee, Enterprise Ayrshire and the Airport Company. The findings of that study remain fully relevant and underpin this section of the Local Plan.

Airport Terminal and Runway Related Activity

Runway related developments clearly require more stringent locational criteria than airport related developments. The Council is supportive of developments at the Airport which are related to the expansion of terminal facilities or runway related activities. There is a need to ensure that there is no unnecessary constraint on this type of development. It is therefore important to safeguard specific locations which are uniquely placed to meet these particular requirements.

POLICY AIR1

The Council will safeguard land for runway related development and will favourably view proposals which are in accordance with the Industrial Strategy and are:

Directly concerned with the operational requirements of the airport, and

Demonstrated as needing a location with direct access to the runway; or

A logical extension to existing activities within the airport; and

There are no unacceptable environmental or infrastructure implications.

NOTE
Council approval for runway related development may require a legal agreement to ensure that the land will remain in uses directly concerned with the operational requirements of the runway or in employment use which requires a location directly adjacent to the airport.

Airport Related Activity

The 1998/99 study referred to above specifically examined the issue of the provision of airport related industrial land which would be capable of accommodating both airport related and aerospace industries, acting as a focus of attention to airport expansion and inward investment development. The study concluded that some 30 ha of land at Monkton, to the north of the airport would provide an appropriate location for airport related industry. Accordingly the Council will safeguard this area as a strategically important location for airport and aerospace industries.

The study also considered the land requirements for airport related industry more generally and concluded that land at Shawfarm, Prestwick should be safeguarded for that purpose. Additional land has also been allocated and safeguarded to meet potential requirements, and a site at Glenburn has been specifically identified for the establishment of a new Air Traffic Control Centre.

POLICY AIR 2

The Council will safeguard

21 Hectares of land at Shawfarm for airport related use; and

7.5 Hectares of land at Esperanto road for development of the national air traffic control centre; and

35 Hectares of land at Monktonhill as a Strategic Industrial Site for airport and aerospace industrial development; and

15.5 Hectares of land at Monkton for airport related use.

NOTE 1
It is acknowledged that not every development opportunity can be anticipated in assisting the airport to fulfil a wider role in economic growth and regeneration. In all cases, benefits will be considered in terms of strategic policies STRAT2 and STRAT3, and the environmental and economic development objectives of the Local Plan.

NOTE 2
It is considered by the Council that not all airport related industry has to be located in close proximity to the airport and an element of flexibility may be expected from potential developers/operators.

POLICY AIR 3

The Council will favourably consider development which is related to the expansion of the terminus facilities provided that development is directly concerned with the requirements of the airport while recognising that issues of public safety must be taken fully into account.

The operational activities of airports are recognised to represent issues of public safety, with a number of legal requirements and guidelines currently in force to ensure a common sense approach is followed for development proposals in proximity to the airport and flight paths. The Department of the Environment Transport and the Regions has designated public safety zones in recognition of this matter. The views of the Civil Aviation Authority will be sought and taken into consideration prior to any decision being taken on development which may have implications for the safety of the airport, or which in itself may have safety issues through its proximity to the airport. In accordance with the most recent Government policy statement, the extent of the designated public safety zones at the end of each of the Airport’s runways are shown on the Proposals Map, whilst the zone does not preclude development taking place, particular attention must be given to building/structure heights and to ensuring the number of people in that area is not significantly increased at anytime.