The noise mitigation trial initiative, spearheaded by West Dunbartonshire Council, is to be run in coalition with Glasgow Airport and will focus on 12 homes in the Whitecrook area. The initiative aims to identify the best solution for managing noise levels.

The most successful measures found by the trial may be used as part of phased works across all 563 households in the area which are affected by aircraft noise, as well as used to inform future work in other locations.

The proposal for the trial was approved by the council’s housing and communities committee this week. The trial initiative will cost up to £192,000 and will be paid for equally by the council and Glasgow Airport.

Council members were informed that the chosen properties are still subject to tenant agreement but have been based on a variety of house type, construction type and size. Officers will now work to procure a leading expert in the field to manage the trial on behalf of the council and airport. It is believed that the project will begin within 2019/20.

The council will also seek funding from the Scottish Government’s Better Homes Division as the information collected from the trial will also inform future practice across other local authority areas.

Committee convenor Councillor Diane Docherty said: “While Glasgow Airport falls outwith the West Dunbartonshire Council boundaries, there has been a long-standing community issue within the Whitecrook area of Clydebank in terms of aircraft noise. This trial project will explore different measures that can be used to minimise and where practical reduce the adverse impacts of this, so this is positive news for residents in that area. As a housing provider committed to benefiting the health and wellbeing of our tenants we are keen to maximise our role and provide added value to our tenants.”

Vice-convener Councillor Caroline McAllister added: “Of the 563 addresses in West Dunbartonshire which are in the noisiest areas, 212 are Council homes. While all our properties already meet Housing standards expected in terms of glazing and loft insulation, I am pleased that we are working alongside the airport and taking a prominent role in attempting to develop a sustainable resolution to this long-standing sound issue.”

The outcomes of the trial will be reported back to a future meeting of the committee, alongside a number of recommendations for future action.

Current UK Government policy within the Aviation Policy Framework (APF) now requires financial assistance to be offered towards the noise insulation of residential properties in high noise contours.