Representation by Christopher Stuart Robertson
- Date submitted
- 8 November 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Dear Sirs, I am very concerned regarding the planning application for a change of use from an emergency runway to a permanent second runway and the subsequent expansion of Gatwick airport. Living just North of the Ashdown Forest, in area of outstanding natural beauty, noise pollution has grown considerably over the past twenty years to now have a considerable negative impact on the area both during the day and at night. These areas should be where people, both residents and visitors, can enjoy the beauty and peace of the countryside without being constantly disturbed by aircraft noise and the expansion of Gatwick would only exacerbate this problem. Air pollution from increased air traffic will have a detrimental effect on the Ashdown Forest and the surrounding areas for wildlife, it was just a short while ago that building within a few miles from the forest was restricted due to the increase in pollution affecting rare species of birds. Having used the Brighton line to commute to London for over 15 years it is obvious that the rail capacity is way past its maximum for the number of passengers, with standing room only at busy times. My understanding is that this line is at full capacity for the number of trains currently in use, so one has to ask how will these additional passengers, with luggage, be accommodated. The road network around Gatwick airport is already congested with the main motorway the M23 being busy at all times, but especially mornings and evenings where the traffic flow is near capacity and the roads leading into London at a near standstill most of the time. Commuting between Gatwick and Heathrow is difficult at all times not knowing if it will take forty minutes or two hours, due to hold-ups, with the vast amount of traffic, in both directions, on the section of the M25 between Junction 7 and Junction 15. The expansion of Gatwick would exacerbate this problem and encourage more vehicle movements from the Midlands and the North using this part of the M25 to access Gatwick. Many fields around Gatwick are now parking lots, the expansion of Gatwick will require more farmland to be concreted over for the thousands of addition vehicles, in an area that is vastly becoming over developed. My understanding is that growth in air travel is mostly Holiday travellers, would it not be more sensible to move expansion to the North of England or the Midlands to bring more jobs and better access for travellers from these areas, even utilising HS2 and helping the government’s levelling up policy. Your Faithfully, Christopher S Robertson