From: Garry Sheen, prospective Independent candidate, Belfairs ward, Boyce Hill Close, Leigh
I agree with Coun Peter Wexham (Leigh Times Jan 12) that the decision to expand Southend Airport’s runway is probably a ‘done deal’. However, we will all discover whether this is true following the development control committee meeting due to be held last week.
It is a travesty that a planning application which will ahve such a dramatic impact on local residents’ lives, is being decided upon by only a maximum of 17 councillors – although a minimum of nine could decide. This should certainly have been voted on by all 51 councillors.
Although I am certainly not anti-airport in any way, shape or form, I do not believe the extension of the runway is in the best interests of residents; and definitely not those who live under or near the flight path.
From may Belfairs residents I have spoken with, thre appears to be a significant body of opposition to the extension. As a Leigh resident, I most definitely share those concerns.
The main concerns have been reported on in some detail, by the Leigh Times and I do not intend to go into a long diatribe about these. Suffice to say: increase in noise from additional air traffic – especially night time freight flights – damage to environment from greenhouse gases; lack of infrastructure (road systems); damaging effect on young children’s learning ability for those in schools near to the airport and likely effect on property prices.