Representation by Helen Evans
- Date submitted
- 23 June 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I strongly object to the proposed expansion of Luton Airport as set out in the application for the development consent order. It will have a significant negative effect on the environment and on the home and working lives of those living nearby. My home is in Bendish and approximately 3 miles from the eastern threshold of the airport and quarter of a mile from the approach/departure line. My objections are on the following bases: 1. Luton Rising wrote to me as someone who may be entitled to make a claim for compensation as a result of the implementation of the proposed development but this did not set out how I might be affected or what form of compensation I may be entitled to. This means I cannot assess the impact on my home. 2. There is a huge volume of documentation and much of it technical which makes it incredibly difficult for a resident to review and understand the application and to reach a conclusion on how they may be impacted. The non technical summary does not appear adequate or appropriate in assisting a resident in understand the impacts on their home. 3.Luton Rising should prepare Community Area Collections in relation to the application and inform residents how they are affected by the proposed development and what compensation is available. 4. Having looked at the Draft Compensation Policies, Measures and Community First document it appears that I live within the area of noise contours for the proposed Noise Insulation Schemes. However, the base level on plan on page 28 of that document (Appendix A - Indicative Noise Map) is so unclear it is not possible for me to identify whether I am within the boundary for Scheme 2, 3 or 4. I would like Luton Rising to prepare a clear plan on a OS background, which enables individual properties to be identified so they can consider what Schemes they fall in and whether the proposed mitigation is adequate. I would also like a contractual commitment to provide appropriate mitigation and its maintenance. 5. I have not seen any consideration of how noise insulation would operate in the summer months when windows are open for ventilation. What are the proposals to address this from the applicant? 6. The applicant needs to consider and assess how those who work outside will be affected by the additional noise. No such assessment appears to have been carried out. Will there be respite periods for Bendish residents? 7. It is not clear why the additional capacity is needed. It is therefore not possible to balance the true need for expansion with the environmental impacts of the proposed development, which would be significant. For example, the Planning Statement refers to the Need Case but this appears to be based on business travel. Luton Airport is not a business travel airport but a leisure airport. Only Heathrow and City Airport can be truly considered as a business airport. 8. Given the scale of the proposed expansion and the fact Luton Borough Council owns the airport there needs to be clear legal safeguards to deliver and maintain proposed mitigations measures. For example, flight numbers should not increase above a carefully assessed thresholds until it can be demonstrated to those bodies that the mitigation has been delivered and works. The application should not be granted consent until the impacts on homeowners are adequately assessed and presented to them, the mitigation measures have been fully developed to the adequate all year round, details of the compensation that may arise are properly set out, respite periods are built in to the airport's operation and adequate and independent enforcement measures are put in place. When the ES is updated I wish to be informed of the changes so I can make additional representations