Farnborough Airport application for expansion rejected
for its plans to expand the number of flights.
raise the number of take-offs and landings from 28,000 to 50,000.
urged elected members to back the proposals, councillors voted overwhelmingly
to block the move.
help the economy, while noise, the risk of a crash and pollution would not adversely affect
people living nearby.
7-1 in favour of binning the proposal.
lengthy and expensive public inquiry which will have to be paid for by council
tax payers in Aldershot and Farnborough.
that the increase should be allowed, warned the politicians that in his opinion,
any appeal by TAG into their decision would probably succeed.
2,500 to 5,000 a year cost the council £110,000 in consultants and legal fees
alone.
opposition and said he was “looking forward” to fighting an appeal.
and the surrounding towns, see the News & Mail out on Friday, November 20.
outlining the reasons why the council believes TAG should be allowed to almost
double its flights to 50,000 a year. It’s standing room only at the back of the
public gallery, with around 100 people at the meeting to hear the debate.
that the experts have got it wrong. First up, Farnborough resident Andrew Bower
expresses his concern that a crash could happen to a plane taking off or landing.
He sits down to rapturous applause.
Society, focuses her opposition on public safety issues.
asks the planning committee to delay the decision until they have better information.
He accuses Rushmoor’s planning officers of ignoring the advice of their own air
safety experts. He said: “Don’t leave it to others to defend your judgement, as
they would have to should a crash occur.”
of aviation fuel affects asthmatics in his home. “Sometimes the smell of aviation
fuel is that thick that it burns your eyes and mouth,” he said.
torture” and questioned the impact of the increase in flights on children’s education.
“Children might not go deaf, but they might go daft,” he said. “Every time a plane
goes over I have to stop speaking – I will have to that more times, and more times.”
suffer from flights of military helicopters from RAF Odiham. “Why should we be
made subject to more noise for the benefit of the few?” he asked the meeting.
their houses as buyers are put off by the prospect of extra flights. “It’s naive
for people to expect this will stop. They will be back in two years asking for
more [flights]. It’s only going to get worse.”
who said some interesting things. To find out what, and for a full analysis of
the night’s decision, see next week’s News & Mail, out on Friday, November
20.
of noise on children’s cognitive abilities.
disagree with their colleagues in Farnborough.
disagree with the Rushmoor report.
down to boos from the audience after suggesting that
jets are as clean as cars and are “very quiet” – a suggestion that raises hollow
laughs from the audience. He sits down to a slow clap and chairman John Marsh
has to call for order.
jet company, says private jets are not just for celebrities but are essential
for the UK and local economy.
airport has consulted widely on its expansion, and the new 50,000 limit would
lead to a significant benefits to the area.
some issues…
the proposal.
the increase of flights. It’s not looking good for TAG. Both councillors have
so far sat down to keen applause.
the application this evening” and therefore AGAINST.
clear but wants to change weekend flight limits. Head of planning Keith Holland
says it’s “all or nothing”.
really understand” risk contours but doesn’t think Farnborough Airport passengers
are contributing to the local economy. He’s going to vote AGAINST.
will of the people should hold sway. Is voting AGAINST
is keen to put the BBC and ITV reporters right on their terminology. That’s six
votes against – TAG has lost. Brandon O’Reilly, TAG’s boss sitting in the front
row, looks stoney faced. Geoff Marks, the chairman of the residents’ association
that opposed the plan, sitting a few seats away, is positively beaming.
But after a long speech he says he will vote FOR the increase in flights.
but gives no indication of his voting intentions.
from more flights.
that while councillors look set to vote against the application, the likelihood
is that their decision will be overturned at an appeal.
In favour: 1
Against: 7
Abstentions: 3
to find out how this decision will affect your town