Weston Airport

This update September 11th, 2025

I have been raising issues in relation to Weston Airport over many years, whether it is putting in planning submissions, working on the Development Plan or dealing with related queries. Weston Aerodrome as it was earlier known has been in situ since the 1930s and housing has been built around it, but activities have intensified over the years, going from light aircraft for training purposes to business jets and now we have the addition of the Irish Coast Guard Search and Rescue helicopters.

This latest addition was the subject of a major planning application, which was subsequently appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála and in my submission to the Board, while noting that the routes of the helicopters for training purposes largely avoided housing estates, I said that conditions needed to be applied in relation to monitoring of these routes and noise.

Unfortunately the approval was granted with no major oversight meaning that long-standing issues over who monitors and enforces flight paths and noise levels continues

In this respect I have been trying to find out who is ultimately responsible and so far I have been passed among a number of agencies. See below.

It's worth noting that there are many positive aspects to Weston such as the training centre, the new restaurant and café and I understand that there may be future job opportunities in relation to a manufacturing venture, yet to be confirmed. See Dublin Weston Airport - Ireland’s Only Dedicated Executive Airport .

Aerial view of Weston Airport runways from video on Airport website (see link above)

But at the same time people's concerns over noise need to be recognised and addressed by the relevant bodies.

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Dáil question and Ministerial Response - jULY 2025

I put in a question to the Minister for Transport asking his department to outline "the competent authority for noise regulation at Weston Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter".

The reply was as follows: "Under the 2018 Environmental Noise regulations (which implement the EU Environmental Noise Directive), local authorities are responsible for the noise mapping of the area under their jurisdiction, and the creation of a noise action plan to tackle harmful environmental noise.

"In the case of Weston Airport, I am informed that it has not been modelled as part of the South Dublin County Councils strategic noise modelling for the Dublin agglomeration, as it is not a major airport.

"I have been advised that it is a policy of South Dublin County Council to discourage noise-sensitive developments such as nursing homes, schools, hospitals and conference centres in the immediate vicinity of Weston aerodrome.

For residential development and other noise vulnerable land uses, an appropriate noise assessment with accompanying mitigation measures to protect residential amenity would be requested when submitted to the planning authority".

THIS DID NOT ANSWER THE QUESTION

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Query to South Dublin County Council September 2025

"Dear Deputy Gogarty,

"I refer to representation received on 03/09/2025 in relation to Weston Airport.

"Under the definition set out by the Environmental Noise Directive (END) Weston Airport is not

considered a Major Airport and has therefore not been modelled as part of the South Dublin County

Councils strategic noise modelling for the Dublin agglomeration. The definition of a "major airport" is a

civil airport, designated by the Member State, which has more than 50000 movements per year (a

movement being a take-off or a landing), excluding those purely for training purposes on light aircraft.

The Environmental Health Section in South Dublin County Council is not authorised to investigate noise

complaints in relation to aircrafts. The responsible authority for such complaints is the Aviation Authority

Ireland.

"As part of the planning conditions issued by An Coimisiún Pleanála in relation to Planning application

SD23A/0324 the applicant must have a Noise Community Liaison Officer. See planning condition below.

•"11. All the mitigation measures as outlined in section 4 of the Weston Airport SAR Facility Noise

Assessment December 2023, and subsequent assessments, shall be fully implemented with particular

emphasis on section 4.7 Complaints Procedure. The contact details of the Noise Community Liaison

Officer shall be forwarded to the Environmental Health Section in South Dublin County Council to ensure

any complaints received by the Environmental Health can be forwarded to the appropriate person".

The Planning Department enforce the planning conditions that were set out by An Coimisiún Pleanála

with Environmental Health providing any technical assistance required. To date Environmental Health

has not received this contact information, but once we do, we will forward it on."

SO SDCC CLAIMS IT DOES NOT DEAL WITH NOISE FROM WESTON

IT ALSO STATES IT HAS NOT RECEIVED DETAILS OF THE NOISE COMMUNITY LIAISON OFFICER FOR WESTON AIRPORT

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Letter to Weston Airport in relation to Noise Community Liaison Officer 5th September

I've written to Weston Airport asking whether this person has been nominated and if so what are their contact details and will post up any response in due course.

Dear all,

As part of the planning conditions issued by An Coimisiún Pleanála in relation to the planning application for the search and rescue service under the original reg ref SD23A/0324, a Noise Community Liaison Officer is required to be appointed.

Has this appointment been made yet? If so could you forward on their contact details so I can pass this on to constituents?

Thanks in advance.

Paul Gogarty

TD | Teachta Dála

Response from Weston:

Louise Richardson replied to say that she has been appointed as the designated Noise Community Liaison Officer, Queries can be addressed to her via info@westonairport.com  . The phone number is 01-62127300. I a due to meet her shortly.

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Letter to Irish Aviation Authority regarding its potential role relating to noise from Weston Airport 5th September

Dear all,

Please see attached reply from South Dublin County Council where it indicates that it is “not authorised to investigate noise complaints in relation to aircraft” at Weston, Lucan, stating that “the responsible authority for such complaints is the Aviation Authority Ireland”.

Can the IAA clarify that this is the case? And if so, can you please forward on a designated person and/or contact number/email where any such complaints can be forwarded?

Thanks in advance.

Paul Gogarty

TD | Teachta Dála

I will post up any response

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ENDS