Representation by Manor Royal BID (MRBD Limited) (Manor Royal BID (MRBD Limited))
- Date submitted
- 23 October 2023
- Submitted by
- Non-statutory organisations
Thank you for the opportunity to respond to Gatwick Airport’s proposals for the Northern Runway Project as part of the Development Consent Order Application process, that was accepted for examination by the Planning Inspectorate on 3 August 2023. Given the close proximity of Gatwick Airport to the Manor Royal Business District, any significant development at the airport has a material impact on the Business District – functionally, physically and economically. This is the formal response by the Manor Royal BID Company (MRBD) as the legal entity of the Manor Royal Business Improvement District (BID). Our response The Manor Royal BID Company (MRBD) recognises the benefits of an expanded Gatwick Airport. MRBD is supportive of proposals for sustainable growth. Plans to bring the Northern Runway into routine use alongside the Main Runway, while not increasing the actual footprint of the airport, appear sensible and in keeping with Government policy. We recognise the important role Gatwick Airport plays and the contribution it makes, economically and in terms of connectivity. MRBD supports plans for a competitive Gatwick Airport that balances the demands for air travel with the need for us to live within our means, including mitigating the impact of a busier airport for the increased demands it will place on labour, property, transport and other supporting infrastructure. Aviation generally, and Gatwick Airport in particular, has been severely impacted by the pandemic, following which the future demands and trends are difficult to predict. Despite this we acknowledge Gatwick Airport Limited’s (GAL) confidence in the demand for air travel returning and the benefits of increasing competition and building greater resilience in the UK airport system by investing in an expanded Gatwick, although this may need to be reviewed should a third runway at Heathrow proceed. Regardless, the Airport’s confidence and appetite to invest in the area is welcome and we look forward to working with the Airport to explore the opportunities this might generate for businesses in Manor Royal. Pressure on infrastructure In supporting the principle of expanding the airport through the Northern Runway Project, our primary concern for Gatwick Airport to grow to serve circa 75.6mppa in 2038 and 80.2mppa in 2047 is whether the local infrastructure can cope with that level of use and that our area does not invite similar pressures, problems and criticisms associated with Heathrow Airport. On these points we are not convinced that sufficient measures have been taken to mitigate these impacts and believe there is a case for GAL to work more closely with the local authorities to invest in the local infrastructure. The consequences of growth in terms of the pressure on the local infrastructure is something that is felt and shared by all. It is important that Gatwick Airport is an active partner working with local residents, businesses and their representative groups alongside the local authorities to manage these consequences. This should include proactive ways to engage with and invest in solutions to encourage modal shift, to help to manage areas in the immediate vicinity to control parking (e.g. by working with local authorities and possibly investing in local off-airport parking service teams) and looking at ways that Gatwick Airport can work with groups like the Manor Royal BID to understand its pressures and help to deliver, in partnership with the local authorities, improvements to the local road, walking and cycling infrastructure. Gatwick Airport could also be a significant partner in sharing its expertise with Manor Royal BID and local partners to help to jointly innovate and embrace new ideas for improving sustainable travel behaviour and how data could be used to better inform travel decisions by people accessing the airport and travelling around the area generally. GAL have previously mentioned some of this in their plans, which could be implemented regardless of the Northern Runway Project but are made more necessary with it. New supply opportunities It is also noted that growth of this order would bring new opportunities, which we would be enthusiastic about promoting to Manor Royal based businesses. It would also bring new challenges. The availability of land to accommodate new commercial space and housing development is already highly constrained and exacerbated by the recent statement issued by Natural England in response to water supply concerns. We would encourage the Airport to work positively with the local planning authorities to find ways this might be remedied so that the Airport’s growth can be accommodated successfully and not at the expense of other businesses and the area generally. Plans to grow the airport within its current footprint are helpful in this respect, although there may still be indirect development and infrastructure pressure elsewhere as a result of the Northern Runway Project that need to be planned for. There appears to be little or no regard for this. There would also be benefits in Gatwick Airport assessing with its partners the role the airport plays as an “economic anchor” for the area and how the airport, in whatever form, complements and helps advance plans for regeneration and growth elsewhere, as opposed to describing itself as “the” economic driver for the area in isolation of everything else and other economic centres. Workforce demands A bigger Gatwick is also predicted to generate an uplift in demand for workers. Again, this is an opportunity as well as a challenge in an area with practically zero unemployment where companies already struggle to recruit. This must be taken account of to avoid significantly increasing this pressure and causing companies to suffer from the impact of further wage inflation and other problems caused by not being able to fill positions and having to widen their area of search, which itself has the impact of creating an upward pressure on wages and to encourage further in-commuting. On this point we would encourage GAL to look at ways they can help promote and support opportunities for people to work in the area generally and not just to focus on those opportunities available at the airport itself. This would require the airport to take a broader “place based” approach to promoting the economic area of which it is a part. Increasing connectivity and freight We are positive about an airport that offers improved connectivity. Ease of movement around the world for people and goods will remain important in a globally connected economy. We were pleased that Gatwick Airport backed plans for Manor Royal to become a Freeport in support of those companies in Manor Royal and across the Gatwick Diamond that trade internationally. Since 2000 we note the volumes of freight handled by Gatwick has reduced from 320,000 tonnes to 150,000 tonnes in 2019. Current forecasts would see a positive return by 2038 but only to levels similar to those in 2000. We would welcome more ambitious targets by Gatwick to carry more freight. Retention of safeguarded land The continued requirement to safeguard land for a full-length second runway to the north of Manor Royal has been a constraint on the growth of the town for many years. It is also a concern for those businesses in properties that fall within the boundary of the expanded airport. Should the Northern Runway Project receive consent, as we expect it will, we believe this provides an opportunity to review the necessity for safeguarding this land and would welcome a review of it, particularly in view of potential changing habits post-pandemic and if Heathrow’s plans for a third runway proceed. We regard this as a necessary priority should the Northern Runway Project receive consent. A call for closer partnership working Since the change in ownership of the airport there have been notable improvements, in the airport itself and the supporting infrastructure that has been reflected in above target increases in passenger numbers. As the airport grows it is important it maintains good relations with the surrounding businesses and residents. We would welcome the input of Gatwick Airport into the plans of the Manor Royal BID, as voted by the Manor Royal businesses in the BID Renewal Ballot, so that we can ensure an active and harmonious relationship between the two areas. It is the efficient function of both these areas and their healthy co-existence that is key to the continued success of the local economy. This could lead to more positive relationships being built between the two areas resulting in a better understanding, more reciprocal trade and the possibility of shared projects with the potential for better outcomes. In conclusion Manor Royal BID provides conditional support for the Northern Runway Project and looks forward to an on-going dialogue and positive working relationship with GAL throughout this process and in helping GAL understand the views of local businesses, particularly those located on Manor Royal Business District.