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| London helicopter crash: residents had expressed concerns about flights | London helicopter crash: residents had expressed concerns about flights |
| (25 days later) | |
| Residents and MPs in south-west London had expressed concerns about the levels of helicopter flights before the crash. | Residents and MPs in south-west London had expressed concerns about the levels of helicopter flights before the crash. |
| Kate Hoey, MP for Vauxhall where the accident occurred, said there should be a "real inquiry" into the increased use of helicopters at a time when London was experiencing a boom in skyscraper construction. | Kate Hoey, MP for Vauxhall where the accident occurred, said there should be a "real inquiry" into the increased use of helicopters at a time when London was experiencing a boom in skyscraper construction. |
| The stretch of the Thames in the immediate vicinity is seeing some of the biggest changes to the London skyline, with the tower whose crane was struck by the Agusta 109 set to be the tallest residential building in Britain. | The stretch of the Thames in the immediate vicinity is seeing some of the biggest changes to the London skyline, with the tower whose crane was struck by the Agusta 109 set to be the tallest residential building in Britain. |
| Most residents' concern has been about helicopter noise. Battersea heliport, the main London base, limits the number of private flights on a normal day to around 80, although exemptions can double this, and government and emergency services flights are not capped. | Most residents' concern has been about helicopter noise. Battersea heliport, the main London base, limits the number of private flights on a normal day to around 80, although exemptions can double this, and government and emergency services flights are not capped. |
| Wandsworth council advertises a complaints line for residents and says the helicopter base has an "adverse effect" on the environment in terms of noise and air quality. | Wandsworth council advertises a complaints line for residents and says the helicopter base has an "adverse effect" on the environment in terms of noise and air quality. |
| Hoey said: "We will need a real inquiry into the increasing use of helicopters flying into London coupled with the large number of new tall buildings." | Hoey said: "We will need a real inquiry into the increasing use of helicopters flying into London coupled with the large number of new tall buildings." |
| She added: "Maybe we've come to take it for granted that people have the right to take helicopters over London and I think we may have to look at that. | She added: "Maybe we've come to take it for granted that people have the right to take helicopters over London and I think we may have to look at that. |
| "Something terribly wrong happened today but that doesn't mean we shouldn't look into the wider issues." | "Something terribly wrong happened today but that doesn't mean we shouldn't look into the wider issues." |
| However, experts cautioned against knee-jerk reactions. James Healy-Pratt, head of aviation at Stewarts Law and a licensed turbine helicopter pilot, said: "Civil aviation is very safe. That includes twin-engine helicopters. These are £2-3m machines that are flown by professional pilots who can easily cope with a changing skyline." | However, experts cautioned against knee-jerk reactions. James Healy-Pratt, head of aviation at Stewarts Law and a licensed turbine helicopter pilot, said: "Civil aviation is very safe. That includes twin-engine helicopters. These are £2-3m machines that are flown by professional pilots who can easily cope with a changing skyline." |
| Last year an early-day motion sponsored by four Lib Dem and Labour MPs noted "with concern the large number of non-essential helicopter flights over London" and that "lack of regulation in this field means that there is no limit on night-time flying and that sufficient safety precautions are not in place for the landing sites". | Last year an early-day motion sponsored by four Lib Dem and Labour MPs noted "with concern the large number of non-essential helicopter flights over London" and that "lack of regulation in this field means that there is no limit on night-time flying and that sufficient safety precautions are not in place for the landing sites". |
| It called on the government to introduce regulation to ensure all helicopter flights were registered with a central agency and to disincentivise the use of private helicopters in urban areas. | It called on the government to introduce regulation to ensure all helicopter flights were registered with a central agency and to disincentivise the use of private helicopters in urban areas. |
| The Shard is the most notable of the latest skyscrapers along the Thames, with its summit at 310 metres (1,016ft). More than a dozen more are under construction or approved for construction in the next six years that will rise over 150 metres (500ft), doubling the number of such buildings on the central London skyline. | The Shard is the most notable of the latest skyscrapers along the Thames, with its summit at 310 metres (1,016ft). More than a dozen more are under construction or approved for construction in the next six years that will rise over 150 metres (500ft), doubling the number of such buildings on the central London skyline. |
| The Battersea redevelopment will see a collection of towers springing up around the Nine Elms area, where developers have put apartments on sale for prices ranging from £1m to £50m. The most expensive property will be located at the top of the 50-storey building in Wednesday's crash, The Tower, One St George Wharf, a triplex penthouse. | The Battersea redevelopment will see a collection of towers springing up around the Nine Elms area, where developers have put apartments on sale for prices ranging from £1m to £50m. The most expensive property will be located at the top of the 50-storey building in Wednesday's crash, The Tower, One St George Wharf, a triplex penthouse. |
| The area's redevelopment has been prompted in part by the relocation of the American embassy, scheduled to open in 2017. Plans recently confirmed by the chancellor for an extension of London Underground's Northern line to Battersea have underpinned property developers' plans. Altogether 20,000 new homes are to be built on 195 hectares around Nine Elms. Around 600 flats to be constructed in the converted Battersea power station sold out in four days last week. | The area's redevelopment has been prompted in part by the relocation of the American embassy, scheduled to open in 2017. Plans recently confirmed by the chancellor for an extension of London Underground's Northern line to Battersea have underpinned property developers' plans. Altogether 20,000 new homes are to be built on 195 hectares around Nine Elms. Around 600 flats to be constructed in the converted Battersea power station sold out in four days last week. |
| Local residents have criticised the new building. Keith Garner, a Battersea architect and campaigner, said the new glass tower blocks would be creating a "Dystopia-on-Thames" at odds with the urban environment of London. "It's very damaging and putting the developers' interests over those of the local community. You could do something that would respect the genius of London – it seems strange to resort to this Singapore approach in Nine Elms." | Local residents have criticised the new building. Keith Garner, a Battersea architect and campaigner, said the new glass tower blocks would be creating a "Dystopia-on-Thames" at odds with the urban environment of London. "It's very damaging and putting the developers' interests over those of the local community. You could do something that would respect the genius of London – it seems strange to resort to this Singapore approach in Nine Elms." |
| Proximity to the heliport is a key feature stressed by estate agents in a part of a capital now being aggressively marketed to the international super-rich. A helicopter such as the Agusto can be purchased for around £2m and running costs are in the region of £800-£900 an hour, according to Healy-Pratt. | Proximity to the heliport is a key feature stressed by estate agents in a part of a capital now being aggressively marketed to the international super-rich. A helicopter such as the Agusto can be purchased for around £2m and running costs are in the region of £800-£900 an hour, according to Healy-Pratt. |
| Garner said: "Personally, I'm not particularly bothered by helicopters unless they hover. I think they're just part of urban life." | Garner said: "Personally, I'm not particularly bothered by helicopters unless they hover. I think they're just part of urban life." |
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