Representation by Tina Strong
- Date submitted
- 20 October 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
My village lies in the Weald of Kent - an AONB & one which needs to be preserved for all future generations to enjoy. We already have our lives blighted by increasingly large aircraft flying low over our village to Gatwick from early morning til late in the evening. The idea that this traffic could increase is just horrendous. All around this area are houses & gardens of significant historical importance - Hever Castle, Penshurst Place, Chartwell to name but a few - providing respite, recreation & educational opportunities for very many people - these facilities would be significantly negatively impacted by another runway at Gatwick. In addition a further runway would go against the aim of reducing our carbon emissions in this country & discouraging people from unnecessary travel with all the environmental impact that this brings. We should not be aiming to increase air travel but rather decrease it in order to limit use of aviation fuel - one of the least clean fuels we have. In addition the impact of more road travel to the airport if capacity is increased & the resulting environmental damage, should not be underestimated. Gatwick airport would be failing to safeguard the life quality of the residents & the integrity of the historic buildings under its flight paths if this expansion goes ahead.