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Representation by Matthew Scott

Date submitted
8 October 2018
Submitted by
Members of the public/businesses

Amongst my many reasons to oppose this proposal, my three main concerns are:

  1. LACK OF ADEQUATE CONSULTATION WITH THOSE AFFECTED Being a resident directly affected by these proposals, I feel that we were not properly made aware nor properly consulted in Herne Bay. I only found out about this proposal a few days via social media.

  2. NEGATIVE HEALTH IMPACT As a father of three young children, I am very concerned about the impact of these proposals on local air quality. There is a central government target and legal requirements around air quality that will be threatened by this proposal. The available information shows that the proposed level of activity would lead to a significantly negative impact on air quality in Herne Bay. There would be a massive increase in localised particulate and NO2 pollution in our area. There would also be a negative wider environmental impact from increased greenhouse gas emissions. This would directly affect my family. No2 has been linked to high levels of premature deaths in the UK (see European Commission, 2016, Transport Emissions: Air pollutants from road transport [Redacted]).

In addition, the planned night flights will disturb mine and my children’s sleep, again impacting on their overall health and ability to function at work and school.

  1. NEGATIVE IMPACT ON HERNE BAY’S REGENERATION Herne Bay has been improving economically and in its wider regeneration over the past few years due to increased tourism as a popular seaside resort and a commuter town to London, with local businesses and schools thriving. This is based on the fact that it is a pleasant, quiet and clean seaside destination. This would be completely destroyed by these proposals as people would not want to holiday, live or move to Herne Bay if loud, polluting air craft were regularly flying over the houses and beaches of the town.

In conclusion, this is a very poor proposal as it will impact very negatively on the health of local people, the local economy and we were not adequately consulted on this and given opportunity to voice these concerns.