Representation by Neil Lowe
- Date submitted
- 19 November 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I am vehemently opposed to this proposal on the following grounds: i). Environmental impact - we are facing a major global climate emergency and should be seeking ways of significantly reducing our carbon footprint. Instead, Gatwick expansion (Gatwick 2) is expected to generate over 1 million tonnes of additional carbon each year. This simply cannot be allowed to go ahead on this basis. Until such time as a greener fuel solution has been developed, ALL airport expansion plans need to be put on hold. Instead, the UK should focus on investing in infrastructure to support greener forms of transport such as high speed rail. In addition to the major issues with carbon emissions and other greenhouse gases contributing to greenhouse warming, air pollution in the Gatwick and surrounding area is a major concern with the small particles released from planes - these plans currently ignore the Legal Statue as outlined in the Environment Act and will result in poorer air quality in and around the surrounding area. Furthermore, the significant construction associated with this project will also drive a major additional carbon footprint and have major repercussions for the local region in terms of congestion and pollution. The South Downs is a National Park and protected area with a wide and rich bio-diveristy which must be protected at all costs. Further major expansion of Gatwick airport will have a detrimental impact on our local environment and surrounding nature. ii). Aircraft noise is already a major issue in Gatwick and the surrounding area resulting in a significant impact on quality of life for local residents. The concept of noise envelopes is misleading and consultation with residents has been inadequate. iii). Lack of infrastructure - Gatwick was turned down in favour of Heathrow for further airport expansion in 2015. The grounds for this remain as relevant today as it was then, with a lack of critical infrastructure to support a second runway. Gatwick sits on a single arterial road (M23) and a single railway line that can’t be expanded and cannot support the additional traffic and congestion that will result from these plans. iv). Employment opportunities as a result of Gatwick 2 will not be the benefit claimed by the proposers with overall plans to reduce employment via increased automation. More and more employees will also be travelling from further afield adding to the further traffic and congestion and will be unlikely to provide the local employment opportunities that are being 'sold'. Instead our local area would benefit from investment in greener, more sustainable industries and employment opportunities, which enrich the area rather than devalue it.