The new runway at Dublin Airport has become “very much a health and safety issue”, the Honorary Secretary of a nearby golf club has insisted. 

The new North Runway opened in August but the €320 million project has been dogged by sustained criticism ever since from local residents. 

One homeowner said the reality of life with the new runway was “basically like a war zone over your house” and another said that planes are swooping so low they are “shaking the house”.

The DAA has paid for local homes to be soundproofed but no such option is possible for the entire Forrest Green Golf Club. 

“Our golf course is parallel - probably about two or three hundred metres from the new runway,” Honorary Secretary Martin Kelly told The Pat Kenny Show.  

“So, while the planes are taxiing and taking off, that’s really the impact that it’s having on us as a golf club. 

“Obviously, you’ve got the noise, you’ve also got the toxic fumes and, from our perspective, it’s very much a health and safety issue. 

“You’ll also have the loss of the mental health benefits of a four hour walk.” 

Aerial view of Dublin Airport's North Runway. Picture by: DAA

Planning permission was granted for the project in 2007 but the reality of life next to the new runway is much worse than anticipated. 

“We have known it’s been coming for the last 15 years and when it was in its planning stages, the general consensus and the general talk was that modern aircraft are quieter,” he said. 

“And I suppose you would have to admit that some of them are - you would hardly hear some of them taking off. 

“But the large, older aircraft fully laden are obviously very noisy.”

“This is what we have to put up with every 90 seconds.” pic.twitter.com/cI9OIxUktO

— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) February 2, 2023

Mr Kelly describes the fumes from the aircraft as particularly “unpleasant” and there is concern that some golfers will resign their membership. 

“Certainly people are saying that if this was to continue [they might leave],” he said. 

In a statement to Newstalk, the DAA said it continues to monitor the impact on aircraft on local air quality.

Main image: Split of Mr Kelly and an Aer Lingus plane.