Representation by Christine Penelope Smith
- Date submitted
- 12 November 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I would object strongly to any expansion of the airport on several grounds: 1. Air Quality - by doubling the size of the airport and at least doubling the amount of aircraft flying in and out of the area the quality of the air will no doubt be very badly affected and I am sure with all the recent legislation on emissions this one factor alone should be enough to halt this plan in its tracks. 2. Area - The area just outside Gatwick is considered to be an area of outstanding natural beauty, unlike Heathrow which is already very industrial and has a well established infrastructure capable of servicing associated expansion plans. Outside of Gatwick are many country lanes not at all suited for the substantial increase in traffic, noise and fuel emissions that any expansion at Gatwick would bring, not to mention how damaging and dangerous it would be not only to local people but to the extensive local wildlife/birdlife. 3. Noise - When we purchased our property almost 20 years ago, Gatwick noise was not an issue. How unfair would it be to just grant this permission without even consulting with the people who will be affected by it? In all the time that we have been here there have been a couple of issues with Gatwick wanting to do things, we only get to hear about them by a concerned third party nothing from Gatwick!! One summer they changed the flight path very sneakily meaning the planes were coming in and out to Gatwick from a different direction resulting in that summer with planes flying so low over our house that we couldn't hear ourselves speak and we would be very concerned if that was to become the norm should a second runway be considered. 4.. Infrastructure : With increased airport size and activity comes more people and more social needs - housing, schools, doctors, shops, utilities etc. I do not feel the areas around Gatwick have the capacity to handle the increase in volume.