A noise plan drawn up by Heathrow Airport operator BAA contains no proposals for reducing disturbance from night flights, contrary to EU law.

Following the omission, Wandsworth Council has called on the transport secretary to reject BAA’s plan.

It also wants new controls for the one-hour period from 6am to 7am, which is expected to see an increase in take-offs as the airport switches to more long haul routes.

During the night quota period - which currently runs from 11.30pm to 6am - about 16 flights land at Heathrow, starting about 4.30am.

Wandsworth - one of the 24 councils in the 2M Group which proposed to Heathrow expansion - has campaigned for these to be phased out.

Wandsworth Council leader, Councillor Edward Lister, said: “The BAA plan fails in its central duty to reduce noise for the communities around the airport. There are also no proposals for protecting quiet areas like Richmond Park which is a key requirement of the regulations.”

New EU regulations said airport schemes should consider specific action where current noise impact is unacceptable, including night flights.

A council spokesman said the biggest increase in night flights was expected to come from the replacement of Boeing 747 aircraft with the 777 and the A380.

Under the current quota system, which must be reviewed in time for 2012, at least twice as many night flights would be permitted once 747s are phased out.

For more information visit 2MGroup.org.uk.

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