STANSTED Airport is responsive to complaints about noise concerns, according to an independent report published yesterday. Uttlesford District Council s environmental team has praised the Essex hub s Flight Evaluation Unit – the department which deals w

STANSTED Airport is "responsive to complaints" about noise concerns, according to an independent report published yesterday.

Uttlesford District Council's environmental team has praised the Essex hub's Flight Evaluation Unit - the department which deals with issues of airport noise.

BAA Stansted's noise communications manager, Graeme Wade, said: "We understand aircraft noise can be a real concern for people and we'll continue to work hard to minimise the effects as far as we possibly can.

"We're certainly not complacent and there's always more that we can do. Just recently, we launched one of the most comprehensive public consultations on aircraft noise ever carried out by Stansted Airport.

"We want to know what people think of our draft Noise Action plan and I would encourage as many people as possible to visit our dedicated noise website (www.stanstedairport.com/noise) and fill out a questionnaire."

The audit, which took place on April 24, praised the airport's interactive noise website finding it "comprehensive and easy to use, in particular the internet based WebTrak system has provided a readily accessible way in which the local community can investigate their concerns".

Stansted Airport's Flight Evaluation Unit handles enquiries and complaints about aircraft noise, looking at the routes aircraft fly, their heights and the amount of noise they generate at fixed points around the airport.

The department provides an array of information to the community and its team of experts are on hand to explain why areas are overflown, and what the airport is doing to help reduce disturbance.

"I'm delighted with the outcome of the audit, and thank Uttlesford District Council for its thoroughness in carrying out the study," said Mr Wade.

"I'd also like to thank those in the community who help and advise us, particularly members of the Noise and Track Keeping Working Group, the independent monitoring body that works alongside our experts and technical professionals, and has among its membership a number of representatives drawn from the local community."

Pictured (BAA Stansted's noise management team) Noise communications manager Graeme Wade, flight analysis manager Duncan Smith, head of environment Dr Andy Jefferson and environmental standards manager John Thain