Aerodrome Safeguarding
Advice and information for our neighbours, developers, planning agents and local planning authorities
Welcome to Aerodrome Safeguarding
On this page you’ll be able to find further information about aerodrome safeguarding, and access resources to submit requests for advice or necessary permits.
Certain civil aerodromes, due to their importance to the national air transport system, are officially safeguarded to ensure that their safe operation is not compromised by new developments. MAG’s airports are officially safeguarded - we’ve lodged maps with local planning authorities surrounding the airports, to ensure we’re consulted on planning applications in the vicinity of the aerodromes. Further information on aerodrome safeguarding can be found on the Combined Aerodrome Safeguarding Team (CAST) pages on the CAA’s website. MAG is an active member of CAST and is represented on the CAST Executive.
Manchester Airport aerodrome safeguarding map
London Stansted Airport aerodrome safeguarding map
East Midlands Airport aerodrome safeguarding map
What is Aerodrome Safeguarding?
Aerodrome Safeguarding is a statutory requirement under the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Regulations and UK Civil Aviation Authority Regulations & UK Law.
We’re legally obliged to ensure the safety of aircraft while taking off, landing, or flying in the vicinity of our aerodromes. Safeguarding protects aerodromes from potential adverse effects of development or other activities and we monitor proposed development via the Planning System. We are statutory consultees via the DfT/ODPM circular 1/2003 - advice to local planning authorities on safeguarding aerodromes and military explosives storage areas.
We receive consultations from the local planning authorities and assess proposals against the following criteria (this is not an exhaustive list):
Obstacles - the protection of an aerodrome’s safeguarded surfaces from infringement by any structures that may be either temporary or permanent including cranes. The heights of new development that we should be consulted on are shown on the map. The height includes any roof- mounted plant or masts.
CNS - the protection of an aerodrome’s Air Traffic Control, communication systems, navigational aids and surveillance systems. These vital systems are protected by the height limitations, but we also check the materials of new development and the activity to ensure that any electro-magnetic interference doesn’t occur.
Lighting - The protection from developments or activities that could confuse or distract pilots (including lighting) flying to or from the aerodrome or operating in the area. The height of lighting masts might also be an issue.
Glint and glare – to prevent distraction or ocular damage to pilots or air traffic controllers. All sorts of development can cause sun reflections that have the potential to cause an intolerable effect.
Wildlife management - the protection from developments or activities in the vicinity that have the potential to attract or increase the numbers of certain species, particularly birds, that are hazardous to aircraft. Any development involving: water bodies e.g. lakes, ponds, reservoirs, surface water drainage schemes, ditches; landscaping; biodiversity schemes; waste management; solar PV; tree-planting; wetlands; and large flat roofs, need to be sent to MAG for review. The bird hazard area is a circle of 13km radius from the aerodrome boundary. Any developments that have the potential to increase the number of birds in or transiting through the area = net increase in Birdstrike risk.
Renewables – preventing interference by wind, solar or biomass installations. All these types of development have the potential to cause a hazard to aviation.
Wind shear – preventing an increase in the risk of wind shear to aircraft caused by buildings/structures or trees.
Thermal plumes – exhaust plumes from gas purging, flues, chimneys, or cooling towers may cause turbulence or air pockets that would be hazardous to aircraft.
We need to be consulted about the operation of cranes and other tall equipment within the vicinity of aerodromes (within the safeguarded zone). These are temporary obstacles and may infringe the safeguarded surfaces that ensure a safe separation between aircraft and obstacles. They also have the potential to interfere with communications equipment.
We may need crane and tall equipment operators to apply for a permit to use their equipment, for which there is a small administration charge.
Applications for crane, frequency and tall equipment permits should ideally be made at least 30 days in advance of the required date. Applications received within 10 working days of the required date may be refused.
For further information on the procedures applicable to cranes and tall equipment or to apply for a crane and tall equipment permit, click here.
Glint and glare hazards can be caused by a variety of developments and landscape features. Glint refers to the momentary flash of bright light, while glare is a continuous source of bright light. A source of either could adversely affect the sight of pilots and air traffic control personnel, so are a potential safety concern that need to be assessed.
The MAG Aerodrome Safeguarding Team can provide comprehensive glint and glare assessments that enable developers to determine any impact towards our group airports (Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airport).
Click here for further information on glint and glare hazard.
To arrange a glint and glare assessment please contact the MAG aerodrome safeguarding team by selecting the relevant airport:
The MAG safeguarding team can give advice on all aspects of aerodrome safeguarding considerations. We do charge for pre-application advice, but early engagement with us will save time and expense. We ensure all the considerations are included in the formal application and the potential for objections or pre-commencement conditions are reduced.
• Protected surfaces: Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS), Instrument Flight Procedure Surfaces (IFPs), Instrument Landing System surfaces (ILS), other safeguarded surfaces relating to vital communications, navigation and surveillance (CNS) equipment
• Management of wildlife hazards and the potential need for a Bird Hazard Management Plan (BHMP)
• Implementation of biodiversity net gain schemes
• Cranes, tall equipment, and other construction period considerations
• Renewable energy schemes - solar PV, biomass plants and wind turbines
• Lighting schemes including aviation obstacle lighting on tall buildings
• Wind shear - building-induced turbulence
• Gas purging
To request advice please contact the MAG aerodrome safeguarding team by selecting the relevant airport:
Tall equipment permit (e.g. cranes and all lifting equipment) - £120 + VAT (N.B. further assessments may be necessary in addition to the permit. POA)
Tall equipment operating area plan for large developments - £1000 + VAT (N.B. further assessments may be necessary in addition to the permit. POA)
Instrument flight procedure surfaces assessments – (quote provided prior to assessment work being commenced)
Special events in the vicinity of the aerodrome requiring a full aerodrome safeguarding plan - minimum £3500 + VAT (N.B. dependent upon size and location of event, POA)
Temporary frequency application - £50 + VAT
Frequency safeguarding assessment (permanent) - £120 + VAT
Pre-application advice service - £500 + VAT per hour (estimate will be provided on application)
Aeronautical studies/assessments (e.g. for wind turbines) - minimum £3000 + VAT (POA)
Renewable energy assessments/review - size dependent £500 + VAT minimum
Glint and glare assessment - size dependent, between £2500-£6000 + VAT
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