Representation by Michael Douglas Berry
- Date submitted
- 21 October 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I accept that Gatwick is Britain's second busiest airport and after Heathrow the only significant provider of long haul flights. However, it is situated to the south of London whilst the majority of the nation's population lives to the north, so it is inappropriately located and the government should not be approving the planned second runway and the resultant expansion of the airport. In support of this view I maintain that if a second strategic airport is needed it should be north of London. Possibly Birmingham airport. There is a concern that HS2 when built will draw more people to London rather than away from it. Making Birmingham a major strategic airport would draw people to the West Midlands and would be a far more convenient location than Gatwick for a large part of the nation's population. Also if there really is to be levelling up for the north of England this should mean more flights direct to and from that region, including long haul flights. Furthermore, regional airports are expanding the number of flights and destinations they serve. This reduces the need for people to travel to a major strategic airport. Gatwick's natural catchment area is London and the South East south of the river Thames. The airport's existing capacity can meet the travel requirements of people living in this area without need for further expansion. As stated above, on these grounds I hope the government will oppose the application for the second runway. If the government is minded to approve the application for the second runway and the resultant expansion of the airport please let me know what provisions the government is proposing to make for the increased travel requirements for getting there because no proposals for this have been made by Gatwick Airport. If consent to the second runway is to be granted my main concern is the flight path for planes taking off south west and turning north and then east to fly close to or over our home. Planes used to make a tighter turn and flew well to the south of our home. Now they follow a wider arc flying right by and over the villages of Beare Green, South Holmwood, Mid Holmwood and North Holmwood bringing us noise and pollution. I should like to see a tighter arc reintroduced so the planes fly further from our villages. I also want the night time restrictions on flights between 23.00 hours and 07.00 hours to be strictly maintained.