Representation by Elizabeth Riminton
- Date submitted
- 10 November 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I oppose the application for a second permanent runway at Gatwick for the following reasons: Any increase in existing flight levels at Gatwick will impact negatively on our environment via air, noise and carbon pollution. A 2nd runway would add over 1 million tonnes of extra carbon a year, plus other greenhouse gases, soot, and vapours. This application contradicts the Government's advisory body, the Committee on Climate Change, which called for a stop to all airport expansion (June 2022) and continues to warn the UK Government of not meeting carbon reduction targets (October 2022). The internationally protected Ashdown Forest for its rare and sensitive habitat for threatened species sits directly under the Gatwick flightpaths and suffers from constant nitrogen and other pollution from aircraft and fuel dumping. Existing levels of pollution are already impacting the soil and the balance in the eco-system - increased flight levels from a second runway would intensify this impact and further threaten the protected area.