Representation by Brenda Simmons
- Date submitted
- 28 October 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I am deeply concerned about the over development proposed for Gatwick Airport. For an area to survive organisations must be mindful of the massive impact such an industry inflicts upon those residing nearby. The area will be affected in many ways besides the obvious additional pollution including noise, which is already proving invasive at the present flight capacity. Surrounding roads, already with high density usage, will become incapable of coping with additional vehicles, resulting in totally unacceptable pollution and noise with very little respite. Expansion on the scale proposed is above and beyond an acceptable level. Allowing expansion on the levels proposed will deeply wound the surrounding area and beyond. The additional flow of traffic alone will damage and change our lives, even areas far beyond that of the airport will be impacted in a negative way. There should be no releasing of land outside the current airport boundary and no further expansion of the boundary. The proposed increase in flights is well out of proportion to the area and should not be considered. What of 'global warming' and 'net zero' which we are all led to believe is the way forward? surely this goes against all that we are striving to achieve, a pollution free society as much as it is possible. Any proposal to increase air flight to an incredibly high level in such a small area, certainly goes against this goal. From the very start unimaginable construction work will seriously impact the local area for a considerable amount of time, which will eventually lead to an increased level of aircraft noise and emissions (pollution), ironically at a time of heading towards net zero. Land should not be released for further expansion, the resulting impact to quality of life for the residents and the loss of habitat for wildlife would be devastating, sufficient land has already been devoted to Gatwick Airport, together with being served by a network of roads, including the M23. Flood risk is also a major worry, more concrete inevitably leads to flooding, a proven fact. Those benefiting from this proposal will be those with a financial interest, all others within a vast area around the airport will have their lives blighted in forever. My comments may not be technical but come from the heart of a community who are deeply worried about this proposal. At the present time we live happily alongside the airport and are grateful for the employment and associated business it provides for very many local people. However, an expansion of this size would completely devastate the area and seriously blight our living conditions.