There won't be any helicopters taking off from the Britannia Beach area, as the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District voted to deny a permit to a touring company.
SKY Helicopters applied to the SLRD for a temporary use permit that would've allowed helicopters to launch from the area owned by the Taicheng Development Corp., which includes the gravel pit south of museum and the former Makin lands.
If the proposal went through, the company would've provided helicopter tours of the Sea to Sky Corridor.
However, the regional district board denied the permit at its regular board meeting on June 27.
A majority of people who attended a public information meeting on this matter in May said they were concerned with the noise levels this project may cause.
The proponents said that the flight path of the helicopters was chosen so as to stifle the echo of the aircraft's engines.
Nevertheless, Britannia residents insisted the company hold a trial run that would allow them to hear the noise levels for themselves.
It appears as if public support remained elusive.
"While there may be some support from residents for a trial period, it is evident that a substantial number of Britannia Beach residents are opposed to any helicopter tourism activities in their area," reads an information report presented to the SLRD board just before their latest meeting.
"However, based on what the community has stated, it is not recommended to try even a one-year [temporary use permit] with a reduced number of daily and weekly flights."
The report also stated that 28 written submissions were given to the SLRD regarding the proposed helicopter site.
Only one of those responses was "conditionally supportive" of the project. The remaining 27 were opposed to the proposal in any form.
"Residents stated that they moved to the area specifically for peace and quiet and for residential purposes and do not want to be negatively affected by heli-tourism activities," the report said.
"They have a sense of growing noise pollution in the community and do not want additional sources to be added to the area."
