Representation by Sophie Buckland
- Date submitted
- 23 October 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I wish to object to the expansion of Gatwick Airport with the proposition to fully utilise the Northern Runway. I live approximately 10 miles from Gatwick Airport in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Surrey. Our daily lives are blighted by aircraft noise. When we moved to Forest Green 17 years ago we could see the aeroplanes but not hear them. In the intervening years the quantity of areoplanes has increased significantly, the flight path has been changed and the noise is now pretty constant from early morning to late at night. We moved to Forest Green from Capel to escape the plane noise but the quantity of flights seems to have increased along with the numerous flight paths. It is so depressing to see the beautiful Leith Hill Tower have aeroplanes constantly turning above it - such an iconic landmark blighted by planes. In the current climate of environmental sustainability and the need to 'save the planet' I cannot even believe that this planning project is being considered. We realise how polluting areoplanes are but we think it is acceptable to expand the growth of air travel??? Everyone is being told to drive electric cars and be 'cleaner' but the expansion of air travel is not considered relevant to reducing the carbon footprint? The roads, infrastructure and population around Gatwick are already saturated - a short journey anywhere around this area is impacted by traffic congestion, parking problems and lack of facilities. Therefore if Gatwick Airport is trying to sell the plans by saying there will be additional jobs and value to the local area I cannot see this stacking up. There are many jobs in this area and already not enough employees - unemployment is very low. The cost to the environment and the beautiful countryside are too high a price to pay.