New grouping (APCAG) of Parish Councils south west of Gatwick formed to work on aircraft noise issues
There are a number of groups representing the many areas affected by Gatwick flights, both arrivals and departures. One of the groupings towards the east, in east Sussex and Kent, is the HWCAAG (High Weald Councils Aviation Action Group) which is a grouping of parish councils (Bidborough, Chiddingstone, Dormansland, Hever, Leigh, Penshurst, Sevenoaks Weald and Speldhurst Parish Councils). Now parishes to the west of Gatwick have formed a similar grouping, the APCAG (Association of Parish Councils Aviation Group) which so far has six founder member parishes, (Pulborough, Wisborough Green, Kirdford, Loxwood, Plaistow and Ifold) and it is planned for more to join. APCAG says it hopes to provide a strong and unified representation for its area in discussions with Gatwick, NATS, the CAA, the DfT, and airlines on aircraft noise issues. It hopes that consisting of democratically elected bodies, APCAG’s voice would more likely to be taken account of than a protest group. It chairman is Peter Drummond and its Vice Chairman is Ian Hare. APCAG subscribes to the concept of ‘fair and equitable dispersal’; the principle that, provided noise is minimised, it should be shared around in a fair and predictable manner (not defined) – and where possible flight paths should not be over people not previously overflown.
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Parish councils joins forces to provide a strong voice over aircraft noise issues
Thursday 21 April 2016
West Sussex County Times
A new parish council grouping has been launched to provide what it describes as a strong and unified representation for its area in discussions with Gatwick, NATS, the CAA, the Department for Transport, airport and airlines over aircraft noise issues.
APCAG (Association of Parish Councils Aviation Group) has been endorsed by six founder member parishes, representing more than 10,000 residents: Pulborough, Wisborough Green, Kirdford, Loxwood, Plaistow and Ifold and it is planned for more to join.
As an organisation comprising democratically elected bodies, APCAG’s voice is more likely to be heard than the voice of a protest group, it says.
Peter Drummond, the newly elected chairman of ACPAG and a Wisborough Green councillor, said: “Of the many groups focusing on Gatwick’s activities there is only one group combining solely elected representatives, HWCAAG (The High Weald Councils Aviation Action Group). APCAG emulates, to the west of the airport, this highly effective parish council grouping from the east.
“When APCAG speaks to Gatwick Airport, it will be with the formal endorsement of elected representatives.”
The primary aim of the new association will be the protection of people in the APCAG member councils’ parishes areas, and neighbouring areas, from unacceptable aircraft noise.
Whether by minimising the disturbance from existing aircraft movements or by having a strong voice in any discussions about future flight paths or flight techniques, APCAG says it will ardently pursue the best settlement possible and is already working closely with an effective grouping of Gatwick-focused groups.
The chairman of Kirdford Parish Council, Ian Campbell, said: “Kirdford is a small council with huge demands on its time and resources and so being able to sub-contract such an important function to a properly constituted grouping, with developed expertise, is a fillip. We have huge support for APCAG’s aims.”
The new group says it is an inevitable fact that aircraft noise has to go somewhere but APCAG, along with almost every Gatwick action group, subscribes to the doctrine of ‘fair and equitable dispersal’; the principle that, provided noise is minimised, it should be shared around in a fair and predictable manner.
Further, APCAG believes that wherever possible, those not previously overflown should not be subject to noise nuisance especially preserving the tranquillity of the countryside.
The formation of APCAG has coincided with the reporting and implementation of the Gatwick Independent Arrivals Review and the group plans to have a close involvement in the latter.
Ian Hare, vice-chairman of APCAG and a Pulborough councillor, said: “We have formed APCAG to work tightly with stakeholders, from both aviation and communities, to ensure that as many measures as possible are taken with regard to aircraft noise for the benefit of those living in our part of the world.
“We acknowledge that the recent attitude change from Gatwick management has been transformational and that they now see the need to work closely with communities going forwards.
“The establishment of a Noise Management Board is a good first step but now we must hold them to their commitments.”
http://www.wscountytimes.co.uk/news/local/parish-councils-joins-forces-to-provide-a-strong-voice-over-aircraft-noise-issues-1-7342350
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HWCAAG consists of the constitutionally elected representatives of resident and business communities within the defined area boundaries of Bidborough, Chiddingstone, Dormansland, Hever, Leigh, Penshurst, Sevenoaks Weald and Speldhurst Parish Councils . Link
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Earlier – (PAGNE has now been superceded by APCAG):
Pulborough residents launch anti-Gatwick group, PAGNE
3 February 2015 (West Sussex County Times)
A new pressure group has been formed in Pulborough to fight against the proposal for a second runway at Gatwick Airport.
Pulborough Against Gatwick Noise & Emissions (PAGNE) was launched last week and has backed the desicion taken by both West Sussex County Council and Horsham District Council to withdraw support for Gatwick’s bid for a second runway.
The group is made up of concerned residents who have raised the issue of rising aircraft noise levelsin the area after a new government-backed policy made changes to flighpaths.
Ian Hare, a member of PAGNE, said: “Pulborough has until recently been a peaceful rural area and the blight of flight noise is something local residents have not had to face in the past 25 years.’’
He said the new group was now making ‘a concerted bid to make more people aware of the threat facing the community’.
“If we do not register our grievances now, we run the risk that concentrated flight paths over our heads will become the accepted norm,” he added.
Pulborough Parish Council debated the issue on January 22 and voted to endorse the group.
http://www.wscountytimes.co.uk/news/local/pulborough-residents-launch-anti-gatwick-group-1-6553851