3 February 2015

Please note: this news article is in our archive. Articles were correct at time of publication, but should not be relied on for accuracy after the passage of time.

EAST Grinstead Town Council is to report to the Airport Commission that it still has “grave reservations” as to the impact on the environment and community of a second runway at Gatwick following a vote at a meeting of the Town Council last night.

Council Leader Rex Whittaker has replied to the Commission that without further investigation and a commitment to ensure that the appropriate mitigation factors would all be in place, East Grinstead Town Council will be unable to make any decision to support Gatwick expansion.

He said: “At this stage it would appear to this Council that the Commission has:

• underestimated the potential negative impact on a beautiful, natural, mostly rural area
• underestimated the costs needed to bring this option to Gatwick in local infrastructure
• over-estimated the economic benefits.

He concluded: “At this time the East Grinstead Town Council would oppose the Gatwick Option being pursued.”

The full text of East Grinstead Town Council’s reponse to the Airport Commission is below.

Sir Howard Davies
Airport Commission

By email to: airports.consultation@systra.com

Dear Sir Howard

East Grinstead Town Council is pleased to have an opportunity to respond to the Commission’s option paper (attached).

It is noted that the Commission has not asked respondents whether or not they agree that an additional runway is needed. Nor has it asked if respondents have a preference as to where additional airport capacity should be provided.

The Commission wishes to:

  test the evidence base it has assembled

  understand stakeholders’ views as to the accuracy, relevance and breadth of the 
assessments it has undertaken

  seek views on the potential conclusions that might be drawn from them.

This Council has read the Commission’s documents (which are extensive on this issue) and finds that grave reservations as to the impact on the existing environment and community of a 2 runway airport at Gatwick have not been mitigated.

Further investigation, satisfaction of results and a commitment to ensure that the appropriate mitigation factors would all be put in place, is essential before any decision is made as to development at Gatwick.

At this stage it would appear to this Council that the Commission has; underestimated the potential negative impact on a beautiful, natural, mostly rural area; underestimated the costs needed to bring this option to Gatwick in local infrastructure; and over-estimated the economic benefits.

The East Grinstead Town Council is opposed to the Gatwick Option.

Yours sincerely

Cllr Rex Whittaker

Leader of the East Grinstead Council

Full letter and response