Delays for airport noise payments

A Devon council is set to delay paying compensation for noise nuisance to residents living near a city airport.

The Local Government Ombudsman said that compensation should be paid to residents near Plymouth Airport.

His report recommended yearly payments of no less than £500, backdated to April 2002; with those suffering significant disturbance getting £1,000.

However, a report to Plymouth City Council says the authority should delay payments while legal advice is sought.

The Local Government Ombudsman said the council had failed to control noise coming from the airport and something should be done to address it.

The report to Plymouth City Council recommending the payment delays says certain points of law need to be investigated which could result in a challenge to the ruling.

Noise levels near the airport are being monitored to identify those properties which are worst affected.