DAA installing noise monitors around Dublin Airport after uproar

Noise monitoring is to be put in place at Dublin Airport. Stock image

Gordon Deegan

The operator of Dublin airport has lodged planning applications for two separate aircraft noise monitoring terminals (ANMT) systems for the airport.

The planned installation of the ANMT systems is part of a 23-strong network of aircraft noise-monitoring terminals the DAA has been directed by Fingal County Council – the designated Aircraft Noise Competent Authority (ANCA) for Dublin – to have in place.

The lodging of the applications for the two terminals comes against the background earlier this year of a spike in north Dublin residents’ complaints concerning aircraft noise arising from use of the airport’s new north runway, which opened last August.

The ANCA issued its direction to install the noise-monitoring devices in 2021.

Planning documentation lodged with Fingal County Council states that the network of ANMTs “will help to protect residential amenity”.

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The planning documents state that the ANMTs are to be installed throughout Dublin and the surrounding counties.

The bulk of the devices are to be mounted at installations in the north Dublin area while one will be placed as far south as Bray, Co Wicklow.

The applications form part of the expanded noise-monitoring programme agreed with ANCA.

The two applications currently before Fingal Co Council have been lodged for the grounds of Ardgillan Community College at Castleland, Balbriggan and Donabate Community College, Portrane Road, Ballisk Common, Donabate.

Fifteen of the locations are to be operational by August of this year. All ANMTs are to be operational no later than 24 August, 2024.

The planning documentation states that the ANMTs “will provide enhanced monitoring of aircraft noise emanating from Dublin airport”.

Gravis Planning stated that the noise monitoring service “will inform the future management and operation of Dublin airport as well as the assessment of future development proposals and will help to protect residential amenity”.

The AMNTs include a microphone to capture sound and a terminal analyser will enable the recorded data to be transmitted for assessment and logging.

Some of the other locations for the AMNT technology include Lucan, Portmarnock, Dunboyne, Clondalkin and Swords.

Planning documentation lodged with the proposed Ardgillaun Community AMNT states that it will have no negative impact.

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