Aerodrome Safeguarding
SIAL is subject to various items of international and UK aviation legislation and guidance. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is nominated as the competent authority responsible for oversight of the airport’s legal compliance.
In line with the requirements of the CAA, and specifically the requirements of the Consolidated Regulation, Acceptable Means of Compliance, Guidance Material and Certification Specifications to UK Regulation (EU) No. 139/2014, SIAL, like all other licensed aerodromes in the UK, is required to manage its local airspace through a process called aerodrome safeguarding to ensure safe aircraft operations.
The primary element of aerodrome safeguarding relates to the management of obstacles around an aerodrome, which is carried out through the establishment of Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS). These surfaces begin next to the runway and gradually increase in height as they move further away. Seen from above these surfaces look like a sports stadium.
Within these protected areas the aerodrome is legally required to control the presence of obstacles so that there is no impact on the continued safe operations at the airport. This requirement forms part of the Joint Town and County Planning (Safeguarded Aerodromes, Technical Sites and Military Explosive Storage Areas) Direction 2002 and requires the adoption of safeguarding control measures as part of the planning process.
As well as being nominated as a statutory consultee for relevant planning applications there are a number of other key developments and changes that must be safeguarded by the airport. These include: tall developments, construction cranes, wind turbines, solar installations, lighting schemes, communications masts, landscaping schemes and trees.
The local planning authority will forward any submitted applications to the airport for consultation and the airport will carry out a detailed analysis of whether any impact is likely.
Pre Planning Advice
Southampton Airport offers a pre-planning service to all developers and construction companies. A comprehensive report will be provided to ensure that any aviation-specific safety issues are identified and advice will be given on suitable mitigation options. We will also advise on any relevant documentation to include at the time of planning submission. This pre planning service can save time and money for developers ensuring that any airport concerns are mitigated prior to the submission of a full planning application.
Tree Management Programme
A critical element of aerodrome safeguarding is the management of tree obstacles within the obstacle limitation surfaces. As trees grow, these obstacles are the subject of an annual obstacle survey to determine whether a request needs to be made to the land owner for tree management in order to reduce the height below the safety requirements. This is an annual exercise that all airports, like Southampton, carry out as part of the Civil Aviation Authority licensing process.
Within the obstacle limitation surfaces around Southampton Airport there are a very large number of trees and a significant number of key landowners with whom we regularly engage on this topic.
Over the last 10 years we have worked on a number of areas near the airport to responsibly manage trees and to ensure that we continually reduce the number of penetrating obstacles, which is something we are legally required to do.
Previous Tree Works
Current Tree Works
We are continuing to work with Southampton Council to address tree obstacle penetrations in areas including South Stoneham Cemetery, Swaythling allotments and Mansbridge Reservoir & conservation area. A significant number of repeat coppice works has been approved as well as some new tree management supporting the council’s ash tree management strategy.
Some trees in the cemetery are yet to be approved and we are working with the council to find the best ways to mitigate the necessary work as well as finding new and community led projects to improve biodiversity across the city.
Given the highly sensitive cemetery location of the tree works the sole focus of the airport and council is to ensure disruption is minimised and improvements are made to the cemetery that have a lasting benefit to those who visit loved ones.
Contact details
For further information on aerodrome safeguarding and the tree management plan please contact: