Representation by Barbara Jean Squires
- Date submitted
- 21 June 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I object to any further expansion of Luton Airport and the increase of flights for the following reasons: 1. Noise Pollution: a. The expansion will cause a continuous noise to this quiet country village and greatly affect our quality of life. b. Safety hazard - The airplanes are flying over more of the village than in the past – nearer to the most sensitive areas: the JMI School, the playgroup, the Village Hall, the Chapel, the Youth Hut and the recreation ground and playground. c. Noise monitoring – i. There needs to be at least one noise monitor within the village itself since Breachwood Green experiences a greater noise than other areas because of its proximity to the Airport. ii. Currently, the nearest noise monitor is too far away from the village to get an accurate reading of the noise we experience at the point the planes fly over us. d. Night & Early Morning Flights – i. The current, night, and early morning flights badly interrupts our sleep – lack of sleep is a health hazard. ii. The additional problem of unscheduled night flights, from airlines arriving late makes it worse. iii. Luton Airport should have the same night-time restrictions as all the other airports. e. Easterly takes offs: i. Over the last 9 months, there has been a significant increase in planes taking off over the village because of a change towards more prevalent Easterly winds causing an increase in noise, throughout the day and night. ii. It is important to consider this in the development of new noise contours. f. Aborted landings: i. Breachwood Green experiences this rush of engine noise every time. 2. Light Pollution: a. Breachwood Green does not have streetlights but the lights from the Airport are already infringing on the village. b. All the planned airport infrastructure, predicted to run up to Darleyhall , will make the light pollution over-powering. 3. Air Pollution: a. More flights and increased road traffic will result in increased levels of CO2 emissions and other air pollutants. b. The additional flights would exacerbate the problem of fumes and smuts that we already experience. 4. Land Use: a. This expansion is a poor use of good farmland that should be producing food for everyone. b. The plan to build a new country park on productive agricultural land when a country park already exists seems wasteful. c. The proposed major earthworks seem to include bulldozing a previous waste disposal site which may contain all types of contaminants which could become a health hazard. d. There could be a serious health and safety hazard if the proposed fuel depot is constructed near to the communities of Darleyhall and Breachwood Green. e. A loss of rural views, countryside amenities and animal habitats when our area of exceptional beauty is bulldozed and built on. 5. Traffic: a. This proposal would cause significant congestion on our local roads which are already busy at peak hours. i. Our narrow country lanes can’t cope with more traffic. b. Hertfordshire can’t keep up with the problem of existing potholes let alone more traffic damage to the road infrastructure. c. Fly Parking - Passengers parking in the village and taking a taxi to the Airport. One such person chose to park in front of our drive. I request that this planning application is refused on the above grounds. Mrs. B. Squires