Abstract
Eight residents, who lived close to Heathrow Airport, claimed violation of their human rights under Articles 8 and 13 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. The noise levels experienced by the applicants were such as to prevent sleep to them and their families, leading to health problems. In some cases they had been forced to move away from the airport. Aircraft noise prevented the applicants from falling asleep, delaying this till after 01.00 and they were woken early, typically around 05.00, but sometimes earlier. Some applicants wore earplugs to help sleep at night, but in one case this resulted in an ear infection. Disturbance had increased after 1993, despite an assurance that it would not do so. The applicants won their case before the European Court of Human Rights and were awarded damages and costs.
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