CPRE’s response to the Airport Commission’s latest round of consultations (ending Feb 3), warns that the proposal would have a “devastating impact” on the countryside and highlights the damage it would do to quality of life across Sussex.
“A second runway at Gatwick would undoubtedly change our countryside for ever, and not for the better,” says CPRE Sussex Trustee, Justin French-Brooks. “The tranquil and unspoilt places across Sussex that so many of us treasure would be in danger of being overwhelmed by aircraft noise, traffic and development.”
Councillors at West Sussex County Council, Crawley Borough Council and Horsham District Council are among those who have voted against the airport’s damaging proposals during the past few weeks. CPRE Sussex has strongly welcomed these and other similar earlier decisions by Kent and Surrey County Councils, seeing them as evidence of democracy at work.
However, Mr French Brooks is warning that some local councils do not appear to appreciate the far reaching and damaging implications of a Gatwick expansion. This week (Jan 27) East Sussex Council bucked the trend by controversially voting in support of the proposal.
“While we’re delighted that many of our local councillors are beginning to recognise just how unwelcome Gatwick’s proposals are,” said Mr French Brooks, “some continue to ignore the threat of urban sprawl, grinding traffic and poor air quality, not to mention the pressure on already-strained schools, hospitals and infrastructure.”
CPRE Sussex is urging everyone who is worried by the prospect of a second runway to let their local councillors and MPs know how strongly they feel, and ask them to actively oppose Gatwick’s proposals.
While the Airports Commission will not reach a conclusion on whether to support a second runway at Gatwick until summer 2015, after the general election, CPRE Sussex is actively engaged in its consultations to ensure a full understanding of what is at stake for the local countryside.
Download CPRE Sussex's response to the Airport Commission's latest round of consultations below.
Photo: © Gerald Streiter