Noise Insulation Scheme

The Noise Insulation Grant Scheme (NIS) has been established by Glasgow Airport Limited ("Glasgow Airport") to provide an opportunity for eligible properties (as set out below) to apply for a noise insulation grant.  The NIS reflects our aim to be respectful of the local community and our impact on people who live and learn in close proximity to Glasgow Airport.

The management of the NIS is overseen by an independent management committee made up of airport managers and representatives of the local communities, known as the Airport Consultative Committee (ACC).

For more information regarding the ACC, please visit Airport Consultative Committee (ACC).

Any grant awarded under the NIS will be subject to the terms and conditions set out in the relevant grant award letter issued by or on behalf of Glasgow Airport.

We are aware that noise created by aircraft taking off from, and landing at, Glasgow Airport may sometimes cause disturbance to our neighbouring communities. 

The aim of the NIS is for Glasgow Airport to work collaboratively with the community to ensure that the indoor living spaces of eligible households and noise sensitive buildings are not unduly adversely affected by potential noise from aircraft.  To achieve this, eligible properties will be able to apply for funding toward proportionate insulation works to ensure that habitable rooms have satisfactory internal protection from noise that may be generated by aircraft taking off and landing at Glasgow Airport.

The Noise Insulation Grant Scheme (NIS) is available to eligible homes, hospitals, and schools built before 1 February 2023 (the month the scheme was first opened).

Each year, Glasgow Airport measures and analyses aircraft noise to understand its impact on nearby communities. We look at all flight activity over a typical summer period, including the type and number of aircraft, flight paths, and operating times. This information is used to create a noise contour map – a map showing areas exposed to different average noise levels, measured in decibels (dB).

The lower the dB level, the larger the contour area becomes. This means more properties fall inside the mapped area. The UK Government recommends a threshold of 63 dB LAeq for noise insulation schemes, but we’ve chosen to go further, using 60 dB LAeq as our limit. This lower threshold allows more households to benefit from the scheme. The contours can be seen by following the links below:

View High Resolution Map

View Contour Map

Key points about eligibility and the process:

• The contour is updated each year using the previous summer’s flight data, so eligibility may change annually. Contours may change according to how many flights the airport handles, differing aircraft types and more.
• When the scheme opens, we’ll contact eligible households directly.
• Funding is released in phases each year. If demand is high, applications will be prioritised based on noise level, verified by an independent panel formed by the Glasgow Airport Consultative Committee.
• If you’re not successful in the first round after applying, you’ll go onto a reserve list for at least three years and won’t need to reapply. Details of this will be shared in any decision letter.
• Properties converted from another use (e.g. commercial to residential) after February 2023 are not eligible.
• Properties that receive funding cannot apply again for 10 years. After that, owners can reapply if new works or replacements are needed.

The decision to award NIS grant funding and the payment of any associated claims for grant funding are at the total discretion of Glasgow Airport and the Glasgow Airport Consultative Committee.  Applicants should note that there is no guarantee that their application for grant funding will be accepted even if their property is an eligible property and may be subject to prioritisation depending on the volume of applications.

If an application is successful, the applicant will be entitled to submit a claim for the re-imbursement of costs relating to the implementation of recommended noise insulation works carried out at the property up to the maximum value of the grant award as specified in the grant award letter.

The maximum available amount of NIS grant funding which may be awarded is limited to £5,000 (inclusive of VAT) per eligible property (and in the case of individual applications the maximum amount of NIS grant funding available will be as specified in the grant award letter and may be less than £5,000).  Applicants should review the terms of any grant award letter carefully to ensure that the maximum value of grant award specified is understood and that the applicant does not unintentionally instruct works with a contractor at a cost in excess of this maximum available grant amount (taking account of any VAT which may be payable).

Applicants should be aware that any sums payable by the applicant for noise insulation works in excess of the amount of specified grant award (including any amounts in respect of VAT) will be the sole responsibility of the applicant.

By way of an illustrative example only (and assuming an applicable VAT rate of 20%):

In a situation where the grant amount you have been awarded is £5,000 and you have instructed your contractor to undertake noise insulation improvements to your property costing £4,500 (plus VAT), then assuming you are entitled to submit a claim for such improvements in accordance with the grant award letter for the full grant amount, you will remain responsible for any amounts payable to the contractor in excess of £5,000 (i.e. you will be liable for an additional £400 for amounts which cannot be recovered as grant funding under the grant award letter).  This is because the quote of £4500 (plus VAT) means that the contractor requires a total payment of £5400 when accounting for the VAT.  This figure is £400 in excess of the total grant amount that has been awarded under the grant award letter and you would be required to pay for this excess amount yourself.

Please also note that funding will be provided retrospectively. Glasgow Airport will not be able to provide an upfront payment to cover deposits and will only reimburse on completion of works. We aim to pay grants within 7days of receipt of a valid invoice but cannot guarantee the same as we may require further information. Please note that you should always make your contractor aware that your funding is subject to this scheme and ensure that you agree suitable payment terms with your contractor accordingly

Glasgow Airport will appoint an independent consultant to undertake a survey of eligible properties who have applied to the NIS. This will identify what, if any, insulation may be effective in achieving efficient noise reduction. If the survey identifies that additional insulation may be effective in reducing internal noise levels, it will recommend the most appropriate form of insulation to be employed in each case. The cost of the survey will be covered by Glasgow Airport and will not be deducted from the maximum grant value. There is no obligation to progress beyond the survey stage, but we do ask that you consider whether the scheme is right for you and your individual circumstances before registering interest. Our dedicated Noise Insulation Scheme team will be more than happy to discuss this further with you. They may be contacted via the details at the end of this section.

Recommended noise insulation measures will be designed to improve upon the sound insulation performance of the weakest parts of the building façade. These are typically windows, doors (where they open into habitable rooms), and ventilation paths such as acoustic trickle vents or other acoustic vent solutions. Depending on the existing performance of your property, recommended noise insulation works may include:

• Replacement/enhanced windows;
• Acoustic air vents or simple wall mounted ventilation systems;
• Loft insulation; and/or
• Replacement/enhanced external doors.

Recommendations on insulation may be included or excluded depending on the existing performance of a property. There may be properties where it is deemed that no additional benefit can be gained or even that installation could potentially cause degradation of noise performance. In these circumstances, installations will not be recommended. Where the survey recommends more than one solution, you may choose which works you have completed and there is no requirement to have all surveyed works completed. However, you must be aware that the acoustic performance of partial works may not deliver full noise reduction and any materials must be supplied to the specification stipulated in the survey report. You must also be aware that if the value of the works chosen is less than the maximum grant value, you will not be able to claim for the remainder in subsequent schemes and any difference will be forfeited.

In the event that a NIS grant award is made, the recommended noise insulation works and specification will be set out in the grant award letter.  Please be aware, it is a condition of the NIS that applicants will only be able to claim grant funding for noise insulation works made to their property which fall within any such recommended works.  The funding cannot be used to cover ancillary or non-related works or works not falling within the recommended scope of works.

It is a condition of NIS grant funding, that applicants are required to select and engage their own contractor to complete any noise insulation improvements.  Applicants are solely responsible for ensuring that any contractor selected has the necessary skills and certifications required to complete any improvements or works which are contracted and must be able to provide products to meet the specification as set out in the survey report. We will provide full guidance on questions you may wish to ask your contractor should you be successful in securing a grant.

The NIS will be administered by an independent consultant that will provide a Helpdesk service, offering ongoing support and overseeing the process of the NIS from start to finish. This will include technical advice on the nature and scope of the NIS and eligibility via telephone or email.

Recommendations on insulation may be included or excluded depending on the existing performance of a property. There may be properties where it is deemed that no additional benefit can be gained or even that installation could potentially cause degradation of noise performance. In these circumstances, installations will not be recommended. Where the survey recommends more than one solution, you may choose which works you have completed and there is no requirement to have all surveyed works completed. However, you must be aware that the acoustic performance of partial works may not deliver full noise reduction and any materials must be supplied to the specification stipulated in the survey report. You must also be aware that if the value of the works chosen is less than the maximum grant value, you will not be able to claim for the remainder in subsequent schemes and any difference will be forfeited.

In the event that a NIS grant award is made, the recommended noise insulation works and specification will be set out in the grant award letter.  Please be aware, it is a condition of the NIS that applicants will only be able to claim grant funding for noise insulation works made to their property which fall within any such recommended works.  The funding cannot be used to cover ancillary or non-related works or works not falling within the recommended scope of works.

It is a condition of NIS grant funding, that applicants are required to select and engage their own contractor to complete any noise insulation improvements.  Applicants are solely responsible for ensuring that any contractor selected has the necessary skills and certifications required to complete any improvements or works which are contracted and must be able to provide products to meet the specification as set out in the survey report. We will provide full guidance on questions you may wish to ask your contractor should you be successful in securing a grant.

The NIS will be administered by an independent consultant that will provide a Helpdesk service, offering ongoing support and overseeing the process of the NIS from start to finish. This will include technical advice on the nature and scope of the NIS and eligibility via telephone or email.

(T) +44 (0) 1273 526004

(e) noiseinsulation@glasgowairport.com

Guidance on best practice when appointing your contractor is available upon request.

Disclaimer: Neither Glasgow Airport nor any independent consultant employed to administer the NIS (including any noise assessor partner) will accept any liability for an Applicant's contractor selection or for any recommended works completed by such contractor (or for the effectiveness, quality or compliance of any such works).

Guidance on best practice when appointing your contractor is available upon request.

Disclaimer: Neither Glasgow Airport nor any independent consultant employed to administer the NIS (including any noise assessor partner) will accept any liability for an Applicant's contractor selection or for any recommended works completed by such contractor (or for the effectiveness, quality or compliance of any such works).

As explained above, the cost of any work not falling within the recommended works (or in excess of the recommended works) will not be recoverable under an NIS grant award. So additional works relating to windows in bathrooms, hallways or landings would need to be funded at the sole cost of the property owner.  In the event that an applicant intends to instruct additional works, the contractor will require to provide separate invoices for works covered by the NIS grant funding and those which are not.

If your property falls within the published noise contour in any given year, we will write to you before the relevant NIS application deadline and provide an information pack setting out how to apply for the NIS.  We will also write to the local authority of the affected areas to determine if any of the eligible properties are owned by social housing companies or are community noise sensitive buildings such as hospitals and schools. If you are a tenant of a private or council owned property, you should make contact with your landlord to discuss how best to make an application. 

It is not compulsory for a homeowner to participate in the NIS.  Homeowners may decline to participate but may still apply in a later year (subject to continued eligibility) should you change your mind.

Please be aware that eligibility to apply for a grant does not automatically entitle you to receive any funding under the NIS. The decision to award funding will be based upon criteria outlined in this booklet and could be limited to a maximum number of applicants per annum dependant on popularity of the scheme. In the event the scheme is oversubscribed, we will make offers to properties on the basis of noise exposure and this will consider which noise contour the property falls within, proximity to the airport and proximity to our extended runway centreline. If you feel there has been an error regarding your eligibility, you can appeal to the Airport Consultative Committee by following the process as outlined.

You can only apply for the NIS where you are the property owner. Where you are a tenant of a Local Authority you should make the relevant department within the authority aware of your property's eligibility. Councils may choose to apply collectively on behalf of tenants. For council owned properties, we will contact the relevant department of the council at the same time as making contact with you. We must receive written agreement from the council confirming that they have no objection to the proposed works.

You can only apply for the NIS where you are the property owner.  Where you are a tenant of a private landlord you should ask the landlord to apply directly for the NIS. Correspondence will be sent to the eligible property addressed to the “homeowner”. We recommend that if you wish for your landlord to apply, that you forward this leaflet onto them as a matter of priority.

The application process is outlined below:

1. All addresses and councils within the 60dB 16-hour summer day LAeq noise contour area are invited by letter to apply for the NIS;
2. Contact must be made with Glasgow Airport via noiseinsulation@glasgowairport.com or by telephone using details shown in section 5;
3. Glasgow Airport will then consider applications in accordance with the term of the NIS and propose properties to be surveyed for insulation works to the Glasgow Airport Consultative Committee;
4. The list of proposed properties is considered by the Glasgow Airport Consultative Committee in accordance with the terms of the NIS. Related decisions on the eligibility of applications received against the scheme criteria are made by Glasgow Airport and verified by the Airport Consultative Committee ;
5. Final list of properties to be surveyed for insulation works approved by the Glasgow Airport Consultative Committee and applicants advised on the outcome;
6. Our independent noise assessor will arrange a time to undertake a survey of the applicants property which will identify what, if any, insulation works may be effective in achieving appropriate noise reduction. If the survey identifies that additional insulation may be effective in reducing internal noise levels, it will recommend the most appropriate form of insulation and specification of materials to be employed in each case;
7. Survey Report to be issued to the property owner and if appropriate grant offered by Glasgow Airport to the property owner who can then choose to accept or decline grant offer;
8. If the grant offer is accepted by the property owner within the stated timeframe, the applicant must then source their own contractor;
9. Once the insulation works are completed within the stated timeframe at the property to the reasonable satisfaction of the applicant, Glasgow Airport will ask the applicant to complete a grant claim form confirming this and return it along with the related contractor’s valid invoice to Glasgow Airport;
10. Glasgow Airport will, upon receipt of both a valid claim form from the applicant and a valid contractor’s receipt, issue the grant payment to the applicant.

Any grant awarded under the NIS will be subject to the terms and conditions set out in the relevant grant award letter issued by or on behalf of Glasgow Airport. For the avoidance of doubt, there will be no binding relationship between Glasgow Airport and an applicant until such time as the applicant has accepted the award of the grant.

Glasgow Airport is happy to support homeowners in completing their application. Please let us know if this is the case by contacting us at GlasgowNIS@andersonacoustics.co.uk or by telephone number ((+44 (0) 1273 526004).

If we are unable to offer you a grant on this occasion, we will write to you advising the outcome as soon as possible after the scheme closes. Upon receiving our decision letter and you disagree with our decision, you may appeal to the Glasgow Airport Consultative Committee. Any appeal must be made within 14 days of the date of the confirmation letter. Appeals will be considered, only where there is a query over an incorrect assessment of eligibility or prioritisation against Glasgow Airports process. Contact details are available at the Glasgow Airport Consultative Committee page of our website: 

https://www.glasgowairport.com/about-us/consultative-committee

The decision of the Glasgow Airport Consultative Committee on any such appeal will be final. The appeal is established on a case-by-case basis and all decisions will be taken by a sub committee consisting of independent members.