Gatwick News – Crawley Observer

Use vote to raise airport issue
6th November 2019 – Crawley Observer
website www.crawleyobserver.co.uk

Letter Page – Communities Against Gatwick Noise and Emissions

email crawleyobserver@jpress.co.uk
phone 01293 845058

CAGNE calls for residents to make Gatwick expansion plans an election issue, to make those that seek your vote promise to oppose the growth of the main runway and using the emergency runway as a new second runway.

Residents are urged to challenge member of parliament candidates seeking their vote on December 12 to make a promise to stop Gatwick expansion plans as this would bring, in a relatively short time, 390,000 flights a year, compared to 285,000 now a substantial increase in noise that residents endure in Sussex, Surrey and Kent as well as nearly 1m tonnes extra of carbon a year with two runways.

Residents are already enduring the ramification of Gatwick’s growth, as are local authorities budgets in a decline of ability to keep pace with the demands that-come from a large airport operating in their vicinity. It must fall to Gatwick Airport, through policy, that if they wish any further growth they must pay for the infrastructure that is required for the current level of operations plus the demands placed upon affordable housing, healthcare and education due to inward migration of workers.

We can all see clearly that the burden Gatwick presents is not being met by the 106 contributions that it is required to pay to local authorities. Members of Parliament, and local authorities, are entrusted by residents to be their voice, so we must make it very clear during election time that we are not seeking to do deals with the owners of Gatwick, but we are looking for a halt in its growth as it is simply not sustainable.

Over the five years we have been campaigning the tone of residents concerns has changed to now encompass climate change.

This must be a major concern for us all as to allow Gatwick to use the emergency runway as a new second runway would add nearly one million tonnes of extra carbon a year as well as 74m passengers to our roads and railway line that can’t be expanded.

This is an ideal moment for us all to make the Gatwick growth plans a key election issue on the doorsteps and have your candidate agree to stop Gatwick expansion plans as they are not sustainable or wanted.

Sally Pavey
Chairman,CAGNE
Communities Against Gatwick Noise and Emissions

Contact details:

email cagnegatwick@gmail.com
website www.cagne.org
Facebook www.facebook.com/Gatwickcagne

GACC Newsletter 110

Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign
Newsletter 5nd November 2019

GACC Annual General Meeting

Simon Henley, Commissioner and Stephen Cooke, Head of Communications
Independent Commission on Civil Aviation Noise will speak at the GACC Annual Meeting to be held at the Stanhill Court Hotel on Friday, 15 November at 7.30 pm

Stanhill Court Hotel is located just 2 miles north west of Charlwood.

The address is Stan Hill, Charfwood, Surrey RH6 0EP Tel : phone 01293 862166
Link to hotel website directions :

website www.stanhillcourthotel.co.uk/contact-us

There is easy car parking. Tea or coffee will be provided and a licensed bar will be open from 7.00pm.

NB: Nominations for the committee should be submitted to the GACC office a week in advance (ie: by midday Friday 8th November).

For more information about Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign
phone 01293 863369
email info@gacc.org.uk
website www.gacc.org.uk
Facebook www.facebook.com/doyoucaregatwick

Alternatively contact directly
phone John Byng 01293 537234
phone Peter Barclay 01293 862821

Gatwick News – Crawley Observer

Gatwick Noise Management
25th September 2019 – Crawley Observer
website www.crawleyobserver.co.uk

Letter Page – Communities Against Gatwick Noise and Emissions
email crawleyobserver@jpress.co.uk
phone 01293 845058

Airport reports ignore issues

Gatwick Airport’s scoping reports ignore the current issues faced by its unhappy neighbours who suffer aircraft noise day and night affecting their wellbeing and house value, says CAGNE, umbrella community and environmental group opposing Gatwick Airport’s plans to use the emergency’ runway as a second runway.

Simply put, it is more planes which mean more frequent noise and the scoping reports before local authorities currently do nothing to offer a reduction in noise for the communities of Sussex, Surrey and Kent.

In fact it offers them an increase of 90,000 extra planes on top of the 280,000 that they suffer annually today.

Gatwick seeks to manipulate the planning process to avoid the costly route of new runway application by seeking to ‘make best use of current facilities’ through a Development Consent Order that avoids public scrutiny until 2020.

Local authorities are making decisions behind closed doors now, and have been party to meetings with Gatwick Airport since April according to the scoping reports.

Elected members will be making decisions about residents’ futures and that of your children and grandchildren who will face the consequence of global warming, as aviation is one of the biggest threats our planet faces today and must be capped.

Gatwick desires to increase flight movements on the main runway and use the emergency runway for regular flights, taking them from 55 to 75 aircraft movements per hour.

That’s going from an annual aircraft movement of over 285,000 a year to 390,000 by 2032; (figures taken from the Gatwick Master Plan) Gatwick using the averaging of noise to counter concerns but people do not hear noise as an average but as a noisy frequent event.

We encourage residents to write now to their local authorities and members of parliament before October 1st, make their opinion known that they wish to Stop Gatwick Expansion plans as they are simply not sustainable and not good news for communities or the planet.”

CAGNE is holding Stop Gatwick Expansion roadshows and pop-up events throughout October and November in Sussex, Surrey and Kent and invite people to join their mailing list, come along, help distribute leaflets to neighbours, raise awareness with communities of what is proposed by Gatwick Airport.

Visit www.cagne.org

Communities Against Gatwick Noise and Emissions
Contact details:

email cagnegatwick@gmail.com
website cagne.org
Facebook www.facebook.com/Gatwickcagne

Gatwick News – Crawley Observer

Campaign launched against airport plan
20th September 2019 – Crawley Observer

website www.crawleyobserver.co.uk

By Staff Reporter
email crawleyobserver@jpress.co.uk
phone 01403 751200

Campaigners have announced they have launched a major campaign to challenge Gatwick Airport’s Master Plan.

Under the banner Gatwick’s Big Enough community groups around Gatwick have joined forces with Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign to call Gatwick to account over its proposals.

The group said the plan proposed to create an airport as big as Heathrow is today.

An increase in aircraft movements in the next ten years to 390,000 per annum (1,050 or more per day) and passenger numbers to 70 million per annum (190,000 or more per day).

The group it would bring increased misery to thousands of people through noise, pollution and impacts on local infrastructure.

The plans would also bring a significant increase in carbon emissions caused by the additional flights, the group claimed.

The campaign has got off to an early start with challenges to Gatwick’s use of the planning permitted development processes.

The initial submission to the Planning Inspectorate for Gatwick’s Stage Two, the expansion and active use of the emergency/northern runway, has been made and our teams are now in the process of preparing challenges to these proposals.

Campaign group chairman Peter Barclay, said: “Whilst this growth plan may be within the airport’s own boundaries the negative impact on communities extends many miles from Gatwick’s borders.

“In a society where there is increasing awareness of the downside of aviation activities our members want us to ensure these developments are properly contained.”

A Gatwick Airport spokes person said: “Gatwick recognises that future growth should be both economically and environmentally sustainable and is committed to delivering any future growth plans in this way.

“We will carry out a number of detailed studies to assess the impacts and benefits of our standby runway plan on our local region and will be consulting on the plans next year.

“The airport also recognises the importance of faster global and local action from all sectors to tackle climate change, and any future growth will be delivered in line with Government policy.’

What do you think? Email crawley observer your views.
email crawleyobserver@jpress.co.uk

Gatwick News – Crawley Observer

Gatwick Airport starts process to bring its northern runway into routine use
6th September 2019 – Crawley Observer

website www.crawleyobserver.co.uk

By Staff Reporter
email crawleyobserver@jpress.co.uk
phone 01403 751200

Gatwick Airport has formally started the process to bring its existing northern runway into routine use.

The airport said it has submitted a notice to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) of its intention to prepare an application for development consent.

It said this action established the ‘Gatwick Airport Northern Runway’ project on the PINS website and is the first step in the Development Consent Order (DCO) application process.

Next month, the airport will submit a ‘scoping request to PINS, which sets out the proposed approach and key issues to be included within the process.

Following the publication of its master plan in July, Gatwick announced it would prepare a planning application known as a development consent order (DCO).

The application is to bring the airport’s existing northern runway (also known as the standby runway) into routine use for smaller, departing aircraft alongside the main runway by the mid-2020s.

Tim Norwood, Gatwick’s chief planning officer, said: “As the biggest private investments in our region for many years, the start of the process to use our existing Northern Runway is a significant milestone.

This project has the capacity to offer significant local economic benefits, new jobs and an exciting future for the region.

“As we take our plans forward, we are committed to working in partnership with our local communities, councils and partners to ensure we grow sustainably and present information in a clear and transparent way, including a more detailed stage of, public consultation on the project next year.”

The first stages in the DCO process involve Gatwick carrying out surveys and preparing detailed environmental information on the Northern Runway plans later this year.

A public consultation will be held next year, after which further updates to the plans will be incorporated.

An application for development consent will then be made to PINS, which will examine the application and provide a recommendation to the Secretary of State.

The Secretary of State will then make a decision.

A spokesman for The Campaign Against Gatwick Noise and Emissions said: “It is true that our area needs investment but not this kind.

“We need investment in our roads and amenities.

Gatwick’s proposal is simply unmanageable for our area as the Government :has made clear it is investing in Heathrow and northern infrastructure.

There are many regions of the UK that could benefit from the economic stimulus that airport expansion could bring – but neither Sussex nor Surrey are one of them.

As such this application for a development consent order must be seen as a negative for our areas and unsustainable.

“Even Gatwick’s supporters at the recent Gatwick Diamond Initiative event detailed that; ‘our employers cannot get enough staff with the right skills’.

This new runway would simply cause more congestion on the roads as workers migrate daily into Gatwick Airport, inevitably decline the air quality further with substantial increases in freight on our roads whilst all the time Gatwick ignores the impact their application will have on our planet in releasing an extra one million tonnes of carbon a year from operating two runways according to expert advisory body, Aviation Environment Federation.

What we need is sustainability and not over 20,000 extra workers descending on our area looking for schools, affordable housing, health care and amenities which local authorities are struggling to accommodate currently if those residents that thought the aircraft noise from Gatwick couldn’t get any worse, the management are now planning to make it nearly 40 percent worse for us all.”

Gatwick News – Crawley Observer

Plans for new ‘rapid exit taxiway’ at airport
30th August 2019 – Crawley Observer

website www.crawleyobserver.co.uk

By Sarah Page
email crawleyobserver@jpimedia.co.uk
phone 01403 751200

Plans to build a new ‘rapid exit taxiway’ near Gatwick Airport’s main runway were due to be put before Crawley Borough Council’s planning committee last night.

Gatwick owners were consulting the council on the proposals which they said
would reduce delays caused when aircraft had to go around’ because a previous aircraft had not vacated the runway.

It would provide an additional fast exit route off the runway and could mean an extra 11 aircraft operations a day.

But members of the environment group Communities Against Gatwick Noise and Emissions (CAGNE) said it could lead to increased aircraft noise and they fear its effect on air quality.

The group said it was challenging Crawley Borough Council to ‘uphold their pledge to climate emergency.’

The climate emergency was declared last month.

Members put politics aside and pledged unanimously to cut the council’s carbon emissions by at least 45 per cent by 2030 and to zero by 2050.

Gatwick News – Crawley Observer

Airport’s proposal untenable say critics
14th August 2019 – Crawley Observer

website www.crawleyobserver.co.uk

By Sarah Page
email crawleyobserver@jpimedia.co.uk
phone 01403 751200

A pressure group has said plans to extend Gatwick Airport are ‘entirely inappropriate and untenable’

The Sussex branch of Campaign for the Protection of rural England (CPRE) has said the airport’s recently revealed 15-year masterplan would ‘create a significant increase’ in the number of flights in and out of Gatwick and ‘make a mockery’ of the efforts of local councils to reduce carbon emissions.

But the airport’s owner says it recognises the importance of tackling climate change and will ensure future growth is ‘sustainable’.


Work made by Sussex councils on declaring a ‘climate emergency’ would be wiped out by the planned expansion of Gatwick Airport.

That’s the warning being made by the countryside charity CPRE Sussex.

The group says that nearly all Sussex councils have now pledged to cut carbon emissions in response to ‘evidence of a growing environmental crisis.’

But it says that Gatwick Airport’s ‘masterplan proposals to expand the airport over the next 15 years “would make a mockery of local councils trying to tackle the climate issue.”

CPRE Sussex spokesman Dr Roger Smith said: “Given the reality now generally accepted, that climate change is an existential threat, Gatwick Airport’s proposal to bring its standby runway ‘into full-time routine use’ would seem to be entirely inappropriate and untenable.

“If these proposals are permitted there would be a significant increase in the movement of aircraft flying in and out of Gatwick, and in the number of passengers travelling to and from the airport.

“The consequent increase in harmful emissions would wipe out all the good work being done by local councils trying to cut carbon emissions and make a mockery of their efforts.”

However, a Gatwick spokesperson said: “Gatwick recognises the importance of faster global and local action from all sectors to tackle climate change and will ensure any future growth is delivered in a sustainable way and in line with Government policy.

“We will carry out a number of detailed studies to assess the impacts and benefits of our standby runway plan on our local region and will be consulting on the plans next year.”

CPRE Sussex has also criticised Gatwick for holding its masterplan consultation road shows in areas least likely to be affected by noise and pollution.

That view is also being backed by the campaign group CAGNE which has hit out at the consultation as a ‘sham.’

Gatwick runway. Photo by Jeffrey Milstein

Chairman Sally Pavey said: “Only two thirds of the 5,000 respondents to the Gatwick Airport masterplan consultation agreed with using the emergency runway as a second runway.

This is a surprisingly low Gatwick specifically held the consultation events in areas away from those overflown and at the airport itself.”

She added: “The south east is one of the most congested and densely populated areas in Europe, with schools, hospitals, roads, rail, social services and housing barely able to cope with present numbers.

The dramatic increase in employment levels, which would be the result of a ‘second runway by the backdoor’, would exacerbate the situation to intolerable levels.

“There are many regions of the UK that could benefit from the economic stimulus that airport expansion could bring – but neither Sussex nor Surrey are one of them.’

Meanwhile, Gatwick’s owners – VINCI Airports and Global Infrastructure Partners – have this week announced a five-year £1.11 billion investment plan with an emphasis on the use of more automation and technology.

A spokesman said: “Gatwick now serves 46 million passengers a year and the airport is committed to exploring how to continue growing sustainably, providing jobs and boosting the local economy.”

Keep up to date with the latest news visit – website www.crawleyobserver.co.uk

Gatwick News – Crawley Observer

New Commission to Improve Way Aviation Noise is Managed
31st July 2019 – Crawley Observer

website www.crawleyobserver.co.uk

By Staff Reporter
email crawleyobserver@jpress.co.uk
phone 01403 751200

The head of a new government organisation which advises on aviation noise at airports including around Gatwick has said that “growth cannot come at any cost.”

Rob Light is head commissioner ‘ of the Independent Commission on Civil Aviation Noise (ICCAN) set up by the Government in January.

The ICCAN has set out plans to improve the way avaition noise is managed including at Gatwick Airport

The commission has set out ambitious plans to improve the way that aviation noise is managed across the UK including around Gatwick Airport.

This included providing clear information and guidance around noise, and how airports engage and consult with communities.

Mr Light said: “Noise can be an emotive issue and as such people can feel very strongly about aviation. This is something that I have seen first-hand meeting with local residents, as well as people from the aviation industry in and around Gatwick airport.

To see the sort of growth in air travel being planned for the UK, intended to benefit the economy, I believe aviation must be sustainable.

“That means aviation noise should be considered a priority alongside air quality and carbon reduction. Aviation growth cannot come at any cost.

“ICCAN will be looking to ensure that aviation noise is better managed, measured and mitigated in the UK.”

A spokesman for Gatwick Airport said: “Gatwick recognises that noise from aircraft, has an impact on some local residents and we welcome the work that ICCAN is doing to improve public confidence and trust in the management of aviation noise.

To better manage noise issues locally, Gatwick established an independent Noise Management Board, which brings local communities and the aviation industry together in a formalised structure.

“The NMB has developed an agreed work plan and has had some success in reducing Gatwick’s noise footprint over the last two years.

“Indeed, the NMB is itself considered to be an industry-leading approach to managing noise.

“We acknowledge however that more must be done and we look forward to introducing a range of initiatives through the NMB workplan to further limit and reduce the impact that noise has on our local communities.”

Gatwick News – Crawley Observer

20,000 New Jobs
24th July 2019 – Crawley Observer

website www.crawleyobserver.co.uk

By Staff Reporter
email crawleyobserver@jpress.co.uk
phone 01403 751200

Gatwick Airport bosses say 20,000 new jobs would be created after revealing their final masterplan for development.

Airport bosses are now preparing a planning application to convert an existing emergency stand-by runway into full-time routine use. Bosses say the changes will mean a jobs boom and economic boost for the airport and surrounding area.

A spokesman said 8,000 jobs would be created at the airport and a further 12,000 jobs in the local region generating a £1 billion boost to the local economy.

The runway changes could mean passenger traffic increasing by up to 27 per cent by 2035. But those campaigning against the expansion plans said the local community had been disregarded.

Masterplan Offers £1bn boost to the local economy
But Campaigners Say Plan shows disregard for the local community

By Sarah Page and Ginny Sanderson
email crawleyobserver@jpress.co.uk

Major proposals for the expansion of Gatwick Airport have moved a step closer as officials revealed their final masterplan for development over the next 15 years.

Airport bosses are now preparing a planning application to convert an existing emergency stand-by runway into full-time routine use.

They also plan to use new technology to increase capacity on the current main runway and to safeguard land near the airport for a future possible runway – but stress they have no immediate plans for that.

Officials say it will mean a major boost to local jobs.

The runway, changes could mean passenger traffic increasing by up to 27 percent by 2035.

The airport currently deals with 55 take-off and landings an hour and, if the changes go ahead, will be able to handle up to 70 movements an hour.

Bosses say the changes will mean a jobs boom and economic boost for the airport and surrounding area.

A spokesman said: “We would create 8,000 jobs at the airport and a further 12,000 jobs in the local region He said it would also mean a £1 billion boost to the local economy.

“This development is really important for the growth of the region. “Gatwick is the biggest employer south of London and this type of investment into the region is really important for generations to come.”

A planning application is now being prepared for converting the airport’s emergency runway into full-time use, but officials say it will be used only for departures by smaller aircraft.

a development consent order is now being sought for the change which officials say, will include public consultation next year to allow local authorities, communites and businesses to have their say.

Meanwhile, safeguarding land at the airport for future possible use, say officials, has been the case since 2003. “The airport is no longer actively pursuing plans for an additional runway,” said the airport spokesman.

“Heathrow won that competition. But if – in the future – the land was ever needed, it would be a real shame if that land had been built on and homes or livelihoods had to be lost.”

Previously, opponents to Gatwick expansion have voiced fears that safeguarding the land could lead to three runways operating there.

However, revealing their final masterplan, officials say that two thirds of people who responded to a public consultation over the proposals were in favour of the expansion.

Gatwick CEO Stewart Wingate said:

“We are grateful to the thousands of people that responded to our draft masterplan consultation and whose views will continue to help shape our plans.

“We are encouraged that public consultation has shown strong support for Gatwick and the local area’s ambitions.

“The plans would deliver additional capacity for Gatwick, which will provide choices for the future including incrementally growing our airport to meet demand and continuing to provide solid operational performance for passengers and airlines.

“This would be the biggest private investment for the region in the coming years, which would result in significant local economic benefits, including new jobs for the area.

“Gatwick’s global connections are needed more than ever but as we take our plans forward, we must do so in the most sustainable and responsible way and in full partnership with our local councils, communities, passengers and partners.”

The announcement has been criticised by campaign groups opposed to the expansion plans.

A statement from CAGNE (Campaign Against Gatwick Noise and Emissions) read:

“This is simply a second runway by stealth.

“To use the emergency runway alongside the main runway is in affect a second runway as it will have to be moved by some 12 metres to allow it to be used.

“As such it is a second runway without ‘the full parliamentary scrutiny or any funding for our roads or railway line that will see a huge increase in passenger and workers numbers migrating into Gatwick.

“This announcement by Gatwick management flies in the face of the government’s announcement for ‘net zero’ by 2050, which aviation is not currently included in.

“This clearly illustrates that Gatwick now be seen as truly the neighbour from hell for all the communities of Sussex, Surrey and Kent that already find aircraft noise unbearable.

“Gatwick management clearly ignore the current mood of the UK population, that of Sir David Attenborough and Prince Charles, that we have to act now to save our planet.

“Aviation is one of the most damaging issues our planet faces today and any saving of CO2 by modern planes will now be lost due to the desire for commercial gain by this airport owners as this plan is in addition to Heathrow expansion.

“It is totally disingenuous to the residents of Crawley to continue to safeguard the land for a 3rd runway when Crawley is desperate for land to meet affordable housing demands.”

Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign (GACC) says the plans show an “immediate disregard” to the local community neighbours. In a statement the group said:

“Gatwick Airport Ltd (GAL) has announced devastating expansion plans that will damage and blight the lives of residents surrounding the airport as well impacting on those further away living under flight paths.

“Despite claiming Gatwick is no longer pursuing an additional full runway GAL also wish to continue to blight residents living to the south of the airport with its demand to maintain the safeguarding land from any other development for anything up to 25 years.”

The statement said the plans to use the emergency runway as well as its main runway. will “substantially increase the noise and health impacts” on nearby residents – particularly those living north of the airport.

The group also said the proposal will have “severe effects” on a local infrastructure it says is “already overburdened” as a result of current growth.

GACC chairman Peter Barclay said: “In a world that is fast recognising aviation’s negative impact on health through noise impacts and air pollution, together with its contribution to climate change, GAL and the aviation industry ignore these impacts and blindly steamroller their unsustainable demands forward.”

Keep up to date with the latest news visit – website www.crawleyobserver.co.uk

Gatwick News – Crawley Observer

Gatwick Noise Management
17th July 2019 – Crawley Observer
website www.crawleyobserver.co.uk

Letter Page – Communities Against Gatwick Noise and Emissions
email crawleyobserver@jpress.co.uk
phone 01293 845058

Plan details three runways

The current management of Gatwick Airport purchased the airport some 10 years ago and stated that they would not be looking for expansion.

Shortly after this, management instigated a bid for expansion, building a new runway, competing against Heathrow.

After years of debate Gatwick Airport management lost to Heathrow. Now we are meant to believe the Gatwick management that the MasterPlan, that clearly details three runways, are to be trusted (and) that they will not be going for growth and expansion with all three runways anytime soon.

We understand from our council leaders who attended the ‘secret’ Gatwick and council meeting, that the Gatwick board have agreed to go ahead with its master plan. This was clearly detailed by Gatwick in their glossy brochures as:

  1. Increasing capacity of the main runway using new technology
  2. Bringing the emergency runway into daily use
  3. Safeguarding land for a new runway

By anyone’s calculations this totals three runways, and there is no legal agreement to prevent Gatwick from applying to use all three any time soon!

With one runway there would be an increase of 17 per cent movements; using the emergency runway as a 2nd runway would increase aircraft movements by a further 36 per cent; and safeguarding the land for a 3rd runway would take movements to over 850,000 a year.

Please don’t forget additional flights means additional passengers to our roads; workers inwardly migrating into this area looking for affordable housing, schools, healthcare, and more people on our congested commuter trains on the single railway line that can’t be expanded with or without a new station.

CAGNE Committee

Communities Against Gatwick Noise and Emissions
Contact details:

email cagnegatwick@gmail.com
website cagne.org
Facebook www.facebook.com/Gatwickcagne