Representation by Paul Cooper
- Date submitted
- 23 October 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
We have lived in Four Elms for over 30 years. The levels of noise and air pollution directly attributable to Gatwick air traffic flows has steadily increased in our area, especially in the last 10 years. The permanent use of an extension to the emergency runway will cause traffic flows to increase dramatically and so to the levels of noise and air pollution in this area. The project should first consider displacing as much air freight traffic away from the south-east to make way for the maximum volume of passenger aircraft. Beyond this consideration must be given to displacing passenger traffic to regional airports in an effort to balance the economies of regions further north with those of the south. This should also be thought about in the context of the most recent updates in the strategic plans for British railways that could alleviate the domestic transport demand to balance a more dispersed flow of passengers throughout other UK regional airports. Furthermore, the project should more critically appraise the recent trend in a shift down in business class demand and leads to thoughts about the economic viability of an expanded Gatwick airport in any event. Finally, this area is an AONB and consideration must be given to the blight that further air traffic brings to such a precious part of an otherwise crowded south-east region. My main concern is noise, light and air pollution arising from an expanded capacity at Gatwick airport. The airport already delivers a high volume of noise, light and air pollution and this part of Kent should not be subjected to any greater pollution threat.