Representation by Conrad Reginald Percival Strube
- Date submitted
- 6 November 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
International air travel is one of the major causes of the catastrophic changes to our environment which we are currently experiencing. The effects are disproportionately felt by the poorest countries on the planet. I am not saying that we should outlaw such travel but we most certainly should not expand it as Gatwick Airport wish to do. Three quarters of the travel is frivolous, not necessary and damaging to the destinations. Any benefit to their economies is small in comparison to the damage to their environments and ways of life. On a more parochial matter, I live in a small Sussex village and the noise and impact of fuel exhaust are damaging to the mental and physical wellbeing of the human and animal population as well as the flora and fauna. One of the few benefits of the recent pandemic was the lack of overflights which meant that we could sleep and that we and our gardens could breath cleaner air. The benefit to the local economy is grotesquely overstated by vested interests. We should be talking about reducing the capacity at Gatwick Airport not increasing it. The application should not be allowed. If they wish to bring it forward again when commercial aircraft are powered by silent, pollution free means then so be it.