Representation by Robin Redmile-Gordon
- Date submitted
- 9 November 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I have lived at (Redacted) , shortly before the final section of the M25 was completed and a few years after British Caledonian built their new headquarters building, now known as Astral Towers, on what was then off-airport land and which Sir Adam Thompson “knew” would one day be inside the airport perimeter, as did the rest of us. This is because the logical path of a future second runway was to the south of the existing. Most of the required land is either already in the ownership of the airport or pledged to them under option agreements. The year I moved here was the year that the “obstacle” of a listed windmill started its move from Lowfield Heath to its new home in Charlwood. Such have been the long running preparations for a new southern runway. It came as no surprise whatever that in 1989, GAL put in a proposal for a northern runway which would have seen Charlwood demolished and Stan Hill removed. It was an obvious scare tactic, a proposal that made no sense whatsoever and was bound to fail. I was nominated to organise a fundraiser for legal fees to fight the proposal. In six weeks I put together a Carnival to this end, though I wasn’t sold on the need, who doesn’t love a carnival. As a sign of their indifference to the success of their proposal, GAL were my largest sponsor, go figure. Closely followed by Air Europe. The proposal was quietly binned. In 2013 the fated southern runway proposal was submitted and then inexplicably rejected in 2015. Unsurprisingly, we’re now faced with the worst of all worlds: a northern runway proposal that will increase traffic by almost double, from ~40 million pax/yr to ~75 million/yr and with neither obligation nor intention to provide any increased infrastructure capacity -road/rail/whatever. I have absolutely no problem with the presence of Gatwick Airport on my doorstep, else I wouldn’t have moved here. I have a major concern about aircraft now passing directly over my rooftop. I am particularly concerned, having invested nearly two million pounds developing a major horticultural/recreational asset for use by the public, called Ichi-Coo Park, that will now be blighted beyond salvation if no one can find a moment of peaceful serenity amongst its dreaming spires. GAL flat out refuses to tell me by how many metres north the path of the typical flight will now travel. I estimate 250 metres which, as I say, puts them over my rooftop. If it weren’t for the vested interests and stuffed pockets, Gatwick would already be building its second runway south of the existing, where it belongs, and the surrounding area would be reaping the benefit. I strongly object to the current proposal, for all that matters to anyone in a decision-making capacity. If anyone does care to visit to see the situation for themselves, they will be able to avail themselves of the best, indeed, the only earthbound aerial view of the entire airport complex as seen only from(Redacted) . You’re welcome.