Representation by Susan Mitchell
- Date submitted
- 24 October 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I strongly object to Gatwick Airport’s proposed addition of a 2nd runway, mainly in view of the anticipated increase in aircraft noise and the impact on climate change and air pollution. We live near to the Departure Route 4, where aircraft usually taking off to the west make a U-turn before heading on to European destinations. We first moved from Central London to the Surrey Hills some 27 years ago mainly for peace and quiet, and fresh country air. At first, we hardly noticed aircraft noise, but it has worsened, year-on-year, and is now very intrusive, especially when we are outside in the garden. There are now many more flights, modern aircraft seem to be no quieter (e.g. the daily Emirates A-380 flights are deafening) and, starting a few years ago, Gatwick aircraft on Departure Route 4 have been flying at higher speed and along a longer arc around the U-turn, bringing the aircraft closer to our home and sometimes directly overhead. The operating airlines of course achieve greater fuel economy in this way, and hence increased profitability, but without regard to the noise impact on local communities. Additionally, night-time flights, which were not allowed until recent years, are disruptive to the quiet enjoyment of our home, and do sometimes disturb our sleep (and no doubt that of others in our locality). Currently, therefore, aircraft flight departures from Gatwick Airport make a significant noise impact here. The 2nd runway that Gatwick Airport seek to construct will vastly increase the number of departing (and arriving) flights. I dread to think how much aircraft noise levels will increase. The likely effect is all the greater, as we live in an essentially rural environment where, without aircraft activity, quietness would otherwise prevail. I am also very anxious about the environmental consequences of the likely increased commercial aircraft activity, i.e. climate change and air pollution. Aircraft emissions will undoubtedly increase massively with the near doubling in flight handling capacity as there is no known or prospective renewable energy alternative to fossil fuel propulsion (jet and turbo-prop engines). Since climate change is perhaps the biggest challenge facing mankind in the next decade, the aviation industry needs to curtail its emissions, not increase them massively in opposition to the government’s legal commitment to net zero by 2050. Air quality will also suffer owing to increased aircraft emissions. The adverse impact on health and life expectancy is a matter for concern for us and everyone in the vicinity of Gatwick Airport and its various departure and arrival flight paths. This beautiful rural area is gradually being eroded by human development. We can accept the need for more housing and associated infrastructure in the Southeast as everyone needs somewhere to live, but, as an airport catering mainly for leisure travel, which is a luxury rather than a necessity, Gatwick Airport should not be granted permission for a 2nd runway. Their objective is mere greed for ever-higher commercial profitability, without concern for anyone living and working nearby.