HUNDREDS of Whitecrook homes look set to get vital insulation to protect residents from Glasgow Airport noise.

Clydebank’s MSP, Gil Paterson, has estimated around 800 properties could benefit in the area after the airport’s recent consultation on a draft noise plan for the next five years.

Reported estimates of about £10,000 per home for triple glazing and loft insulation could cost a total of £8 million.

Mr Paterson said the work could start this year, but that while he welcomed progress from the airport, he would push them further.

The 800 homes figure is based on the airport’s own vague map of noise levels of 63 decibels, which the MSP and his staff then plotted against another map and physically counted homes on the streets of Whitecrook.

Mr Paterson has been campaigning for 11 years alongside local activists, who he praised for their continuing commitment.

The MSP told the Post: “Although undoubtedly this is a giant step forward, I can’t describe it as a victory since there will still be households under the flight path who are affected by aircraft noise.

“My staff and I have been working, with considerable assistance over that period from two local community activists Tam Brady and Joe Henry, who have been there every step of the way. These latest developments are very good news indeed.

“I would also like to highlight the commitment and support I have had from Reuben McLean, who is a sound specialist, and senior environmental health officer of West Dunbartonshire Council, Pat Hoey, who have both worked above and beyond the call of duty.”

Activists have repeatedly pointed out measures such as triple glazed windows will be of little comfort on warm summer nights when they want to leave them open. There is no plan to cut back night flights from the airport.

And the current noise plan won’t help neighbouring properties or homes in Linnvale or Drumchapel.

Mr Paterson said the airport deserved credit for the commitment to reduce noise for residents, “which will cost them a considerable amount of money”.

But he said there was more work to be done and every house affected should comply with World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines. The WHO states anything above 50 decibels affects your health.

Mr Paterson spent more than £3,000 of his own money to check the benefits of triple glazing and insulation on a Whitecrook home. It reduced noise to 45 decibels while the level was 84 outside.

He added: “Glasgow Airport have made a significant commitment to reducing the effects of aircraft noise in areas under the flightpath and this will make a great difference to many of my constituents particularly in areas worst affected such as Whitecrook.”

The MSP said he has met with the Scottish Government and West Dunbartonshire Council and had written to the Westminster government over what action can be taken.

Glasgow Airport ran their consultation on the noise action plan alongside their proposals for updating flightpaths over the west of Scotland. The Civil Aviation Authority last month said the airport would have to amend or redo their flightpath survey. Mr Paterson said that is expected to delay implementation of the noise plan.

A spokesman for Glasgow Airport said: “Over the course of the past two years we held a series of meetings with Gil Paterson MSP who represented the concerns of his constituents. This informed our draft noise action plan which we consulted on earlier this year and which set out our proposals for a noise insulation scheme.

“Now that the consultation has closed, we are currentlycollating all of the feedback received which will allow us to put the noise action plan in place. This will include reviewing eligibility rules for an insulation scheme, the extent of the financial contribution and the number of properties which would qualify.”