Homes unaware of plane noise grant

THOUSANDS of homeowners living near airports are missing out on a special grant paying up to 100% of the cost of getting their property sound-proofed.

Air noise pollution watchdog Acnusa estimates in its annual report, seen by Le Parisien, that between 30,000 and 50,000 homes are eligible for the payout without knowing.

If you live within an officially recognised noise nuisance zone you can get the aide à l’insonorisation des logements.

The payment, which comes from the local airport, covers between 80% and 100% of the costs for sound-proofing.

Acnusa says airlines using Orly and Charles de Gaulle airports paid €46m in "noise taxes" last year but only 2,500 homes in the area took advantage of the grant.

The group wants the government to do more to publicise the grant nationwide and change the rules which state that the insulation works must be paid for in advance and the cost then claimed back.

Acnusa also wants rules to come into force by the end of 2014 meaning only modern planes that conform to the latest noise emission standards would be allowed to use French airports at night.

The authority issued 331 fines last year - totalling almost €3m - against airlines for failing to stay within agreed flight paths or time slots. However the annual report reveals that less than half of these have been paid so far.

The group said it was particularly concerned about the area around Orly airport in Paris, where new homes are continuing to be built under flight paths.

Related story:
Getting your home sound-proofed

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