Representation by Mark Evans
- Date submitted
- 13 November 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I am writing to express my strong objections to the proposed Northern runway at Gatwick Airport. My reasons are summarised as follows: 1. Noise Impact on Quality of Life: The disturbing noise from flights has a significant adverse impact on the quality of life of local residents, myself included. For numerous years, the aviation industry has pursued a noise reduction strategy in order to protect and improve the welfare of those impacted by frequent aircraft movements and their commitment to mitigating noise impact on residents is commendable. But it would be unacceptable and unethical if any positive outcomes from this effort (and welcomed objective) were to be exploited by Gatwick's owners as an 'offset' for the inevitable increased noise that will result from with this proposal. Achieving noise reduction is a forward-looking goal contingent upon advancements in technology and the replacement of existing aircraft. The assumptions in this proposal regarding future noise levels have not yet been realised and are largely dependent on improvements made by airline manufacturers and are outside of Gatwick’s direct control. As a result, it is imperative that the planning authority employs a worst-case scenario when evaluating the potential impact of noise disturbances. Furthermore, the growing population in the South East has resulted in an increasing number of residents affected by aircraft noise. And, as more people now work from home, residents affected by aircraft noise already suffer for longer. 2. Environmental Concerns: The proposal is completely at odds with the Government’s net-zero policy and its clear priority to combat human-induced climate change. 3. Impact on Local Infrastructure: The additional strain on local infrastructure (including transport links, flood mitigation etc) that would arise from the proposed significant increase in flight operations has not been properly considered or modelled. The existing infrastructure is already over-stretched. 4. Questionable ‘Demand’: The proposal seems disconnected from changing behaviour patterns in the post-COVID era. A significant increase in remote working, concerns over climate change, and post-Brexit limitations on travel within the Schengen area are all examples of drivers that reduce air travel demand. A recent study by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) reports 69 percent of travellers are now actively seeking sustainable travel options. Until there's concrete, unequivocal evidence of sufficient demand and support from residents in the South East of England to justify the airport’s expansion, it should not go ahead. The corporate, financially-driven ambitions of Gatwick’s owners should not be allowed to trump the critical need for robust evidence in a public consultation of this magnitude. 5. Safety Concerns: With a very large and growing population in the South East of England, any increase in air traffic, and the associated increase in human movements in and around Gatwick, will amplify many critical, prioritised risks on the Government’s national risk register. Many of these risks could be significant and difficult to mitigate so it is alarming that they have not been properly considered in this proposal. For the above reasons, I strongly oppose the proposed expansion of Gatwick’s flight operations capability.