Representation by Paul Stepto
- Date submitted
- 20 October 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I oppose the application for a northern runway at Gatwick airport for the following reasons: *It is a new runway. The existing 2nd runway has been misrepresented by the applicant and does not comply with policy contained in the Government’s Aviation Strategy. *There will be an increase in aircraft noise and as I live under a flight path, this will directly affect my family and me. *There is a lack of affordable and social housing locally. Workers would be unable to walk or cycle to work as the applicant proposes. *Too many of the jobs proposed are low skilled with little job security due to the volatile and seasonal nature of the airport’s leisure business. *Gatwick sits on a single main road, the M23 which is deemed an unsafe smart road. The increase in activity at the airport would lead to a huge increase in freight, passengers and workers and will cause a significant rise in congestion on residential roads and an inevitable decline in air quality. *The airport sits on the Brighton Main Line, which is already at capacity with no prospect of expansion. Gatwick seeks to add an unacceptable burden to the line with over 32m extra passengers. *We face a climate emergency, and a new runway would add a significant amount of carbon and greenhouse gases both from aviation emissions and from increased road traffic.