Gatwick Anti Noise Group Annual Report 2

GANG                        

                   GATWICK  ANTI - NOISE  GROUP

                                                            The Old Farmhouse,

                                                                                                   Hever,

                                                                                                   EDENBRIDGE,

                                                                                                   Kent

                                           Bankers                                                          TN8 7ER

                              HSBC - Edenbridge Branch

                                                                                                                                    Email : Davidbaron@aol.com

EXCESSIVE  AIRCRAFT  NOISE

2008  REPORT

2008 was a busy year for GANG. Much progress has been made but the excessive noise from inbound aircraft is still causing a major problem over Chiddingstone, Hever and Marsh Green.

In the past, these delightful rural villages were renowned for their tranquillity but about 12 years ago, the Instrument Landing System beam was unilaterally extended beyond Lingfield, without consultation or formal permission, over Marsh Green, Hever and Chiddingstone.

Initially, the lengthened ILS was not used extensively and residents were therefore not fully aware of the change that had taken place. It was not until some years later, when the volume of traffic increased considerably, that residents became aware of the changes in flightpaths and the greatly increased noise created.

The Countryside & Rights of Way Act 2000 and other legislation give considerable protection to designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty against noise but BAA, NATS et al prefer to ignore such regulations. Although flight over AONBs is not precluded, aircraft should be higher than 7,000 feet. No incoming flights over our villages conform to this and BAA refuse to confirm that fact. Noise levels are frequently around 70 decibels every two minutes nearly all day. That is VERY loud. Especially in an otherwise quiet rural environment.

An Environmental Officer from Sevenoaks District Council has confirmed that the noise levels in Hever are a danger to mental and physical health. All relevant authorities including central and local government as well as BAA have been advised of this finding but nothing has been done to alleviate the risk.

Largely due to the unstinting efforts of our MP, Sir John Stanley, a meeting was arranged at Gatwick in February with senior airport management (including Mr. Flower, the MD) at which BAA made various promises to keep aircraft higher and spread them over a much wider approach path as well as providing better information to complainants. None of these promises has materialised. In fact, BAA issued an edict in December severely limiting any information they are prepared to give regarding complaints about noise. Public relations is not BAA's forte!!

Also in February, GANG was invited to address a meeting of the Campaign to Protect Rural England regarding our problems and their support is much appreciated.

In March, a further meeting was held on site at Hever with Sir John, Mr. Flower, Mr. Norman (FEU) and others in order to witness the true extent of the noise disturbance. As usual, incoming aircraft flew noisily overhead every two minutes during the meeting which later moved on to Marsh Green where a similar situation existed.