Representation by Chris Jeffery
- Date submitted
- 21 October 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I am a member of Hever Castle Golf Club and of Hever Castle, and make regular visits to both. Hever Castle is a Grade 1 listed heritage attraction set within a Grade 1 listed park and garden, within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Visitors to the golf club often comment on the high level of aircraft noise from aircraft using Gatwick, and the frequency of over-head flights. My concern is that if the emergency runway becomes a second runway, then the frequency and level of sound nuisance will increase significantly for people at the Castle and at the Golf Club. I therefore oppose the planned upgrade. I should like to see greater efforts made to reduce the number of planes flying over this and other Areas of Natural Beauty. I am also concerned that the expansion will require significantly more water, at a time when local residents in Kent have recently experienced hosepipe bans. Also that in order to attract extra staff, more houses will need to be built, putting pressure on local communities and services.