What is a Public Safety Zone?

Public Safety Zones are areas of land at the end of runways established at the busiest airports in the UK, within which certain planning restrictions apply.  These aim to control the number of people on the ground at risk in the unlikely event of an aircraft accident on take-off or landing.

Who is responsible for PSZ policy?

The Department for Transport is responsible for Public Safety Zones policy. Further information, including contact details, can be found below:

• PSZ Policy England
• PSZ Policy Northern Ireland
• PSZ Policy Scotland
• PSZ Policy Wales

The basic policy objective governing the restriction of development near civil airports is that there should be no increase in the number of people living, working or congregating in PSZs and that over time the number should be reduced as circumstances allow (e.g. when any redevelopment takes place).

Following an internal DfT review, it has been concluded that the administration of PSZ policy will be carried out by the CAA.  The CAA has, therefore, taken over responsibility for the implementation of new PSZs and the review and update of existing PSZs, as instructed by DfT (see DfT statement on Airport Public Safety Zones). 

Any queries regarding the activities during a PSZ review should be addressed to:

Aerodrome Development Team
Aerodrome and Air Traffic Standards Division
Civil Aviation Authority
Safety Regulation Group 
Aviation House
Gatwick Airport South
West Sussex  RH6 0YR
email: psz@caa.co.uk

Queries regarding PSZ policy should be addressed to:  psz@dft.gsi.gov.uk

Also please see Public Safety Zones - FAQs

PSZ Reviews