Representation by Christopher Andrew Glover
- Date submitted
- 21 October 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I am already negatively impacted by the noise of aircraft using Gatwick Airport. I understand the need for airports and, as a user of Gatwick myself, I accept the current level of activity. However, I consider the proposed expansion of the airport to be completely unacceptable for the following reasons. Need Gatwick’s overall case for expansion does not comply with the Airports National Policy Statement. This requires airports (other than Heathrow) to demonstrate sufficient need in addition to (or different from) the need which would be met by the provision of a Northwest Runway at Heathrow to justify their expansion proposals. This growth at Gatwick will have a huge adverse environmental effect on our communities and countryside. Noise Expansion of Gatwick would significantly increase aircraft noise not only for those living near the airport but also for those further away who are under flight paths. The noise envelope Gatwick has proposed is not consistent with government policy and CAA guidance. It should be substantially revised. Additionally, a ban on night flights should be a condition of any expansion at Gatwick. The airport should also be required to set out a comprehensive package of measures to incentivise the use of the quietest aircraft at night outside the hours of a ban. Climate change and air pollution. Expansion on the scale proposed would increase very substantially the CO2 emissions and other climate effects associated with Gatwick’s operations and flights. There are currently no proven technologies for reducing aviation emissions at scale. Expansion of Gatwick would therefore have a material impact on the UK’s ability to meet its carbon reduction targets. Carbon emissions will also result from construction works and increased road traffic to the airport. Flights and traffic will make air pollution worse. Transport impacts Gatwick’s targets to increase how many people bus, train, walk and cycle are insufficient to prevent a massive increase in road traffic around the airport. This increase in traffic would result in more congestion on local roads and require off-airport parking. Gatwick is not providing any extra rail services but the project will increase pressure on train services, resulting in more overcrowding on the mainline services between London Victoria and Brighton. Flood Risk Over the years the River Mole and its tributaries have flooded, especially when the Airport and sewage treatment plants discharge water in extreme events. Climate change is making these extreme events more frequent and severe. Expansion of the Airport, and other developments locally, need to properly take this into account. Economic case The economic benefits of expanding Gatwick have been overstated by the Gatwick Airport Ltd. Significant economic, social and environmental costs have been ignored and/or understated. The economic benefits of air transport growth are subject to diminishing returns. In an already highly connected economy such as the UK, additional economic benefits from further expanding air transport are largely dependent on net inbound tourism and business travel growth. Both of these are absent in the UK today (more people fly on holidays overseas and business travel has flat-lined in the UK since 2006 as set out here). When Gatwick's scheme costs, benefits, and the long-term societal risks are taken into account, the scheme’s economic case is no longer convincing and entails unreasonable levels of risk to local, national and international wellbeing.