Queen could get 'millions' to soundproof Windsor Castle from Heathrow noise

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Heathrow promises £1billion compensation including £700million for noise
Airports Commission said a third runway at Heathrow is the 'best option'
Flight paths crossing over Windsor could create a 'noise island' says study

By Matt Chorley, Political Editor for MailOnline

Published: 06:13 EST, 12 July 2015 | Updated: 07:48 EST, 12 July 2015

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The Queen could receive millions of pounds to soundproof Windsor Castle from the noise of planes from an expanded Heathrow, it was claimed today.

A £1billion compensation fund has been promised for communities under flights paths including help to limit the impact of noise would be set aside if Heathrow gets to go ahead for a third runway.

It is suggested that the Queen could be one of the main beneficiaries to curb the noise of flights over the 900-year-old castle where she spends her weekends.

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The Queen could receive millions of pounds to soundproof Windsor Castle from the noise of planes from an expanded Heathrow, it was claimed today

It is suggested that the Queen could be one of the main beneficiaries to curb the noise of flights over the 900-year-old castle where she spends her weekends

The Davies Airport Commission this month found that a third runway is the 'best option' for increasing the capacity of UK terminals.

The proposal created a political headache for David Cameron who previously ruled out any expansion at Heathrow, and senior Tories including Boris Johnson and Cabinet minister Justine Greening are vehemently opposed.

The Commission, chaired by Sir Howard Davies, recommended a 'comprehensive package of accompanying measures which would make the airport's expansion more acceptable to its local community, and to Londoners generally'.

It included a 'ban on night flights, more reliable respite for overflown communities, a legally-enforced 'noise envelope', a statutory independent aviation noise authority, and a noise levy to fund a far stronger and more generous set of compensation and mitigation schemes'.

It said Heathrow Airport Ltd should be held to its commitment to spend more than £1 billion on community compensation', including £700million to mitigate noise.

It was suggested a new aviation noise charge or levy should be introduced so that airlines and passengers pay more to compensate local communities blighted by noise.

Modelling by the Department for Transport in 2006 found a new runway at Heathrow would create an 'island of noise' around Windsor.

Flight paths would cross over the Berkshire town, creating a sharp increase in noise levels, although Whitehall insiders stressed the new plans were very different to those modelled almost a decade ago.

However, it raises the prospect of the Queen receiving financial support to carry out work on Windsor Castle to soundproof roof spaces, windows and doors to stop the Royal Family being disturbed.

A senior Whitehall source told the Sunday Times: 'Windsor is comparable to parliament, potentially bigger, and if they do need to insulate the Windsors against noise it will cost a fortune — potentially millions.

'They will end up spending more on compensation to the Queen than they spent in the past 10 years on noise compensation. Planes can fly pretty low over Windsor.'

Heathrow is promising a 'world class' noise insulation scheme to compensate people under flight paths.

The Airports Commission has recommended a third runway at Heathrow is the best way to deal with the growing demand for air travel. Pictured: Artist's impression of Heathrow airport and the surrounding area with the new runway (top left)

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A spokesman said: 'Residents would be eligible regardless of whether they experience noise under existing flight paths or will be newly affected by noise from a new runway.'

A spokesman for Buckingham Palace said: 'The royal household was not consulted regarding the Davies Commission, and therefore has offered no view on it.

'The royal household would not speculate on any matter relating to a proposed third runway before any formal decision has been taken by those responsible for this.'

A spokesman for the Department for Transport said: 'We understand concerns local communities have about noise from aircraft.

'That is why we will carefully examine all of the evidence provided by the Airports Commission, including environmental mitigation measures, and we will work closely with industry and communities on how best to mitigate the impact of noise when considering the options for expansion.

'The Airports Commission has made clear it expects the highest standards on noise performance and has made further specific recommendations to strengthen the proposals already made by Heathrow.'

The Davies Commission gave its 'clear and unanimous' backing to the construction of a third runway at Heathrow, saying it was by far the best option for the British economy.

Sir Howard urged the Government to act 'as quickly as it can' to get the £18.6 billion project under way.

But despite the clear-cut conclusion, Mr Cameron – who ordered the £20 million review – is wavering over the idea in the face of concerted Cabinet opposition led by London Mayor Mr Johnson.

Ministers have been ordered to tone down their anti-Heathrow rhetoric, following legal advice it could spark a court challenge if Mr Cameron decides to back a new runway at Gatwick.