Yesterday, I attended the Farnborough2040 Public Exhibition event at Lakeside Hotel.
I have to say I attended the event with a completely open mind to try and understand exactly what the proposal is (which I think I got) but also to see what the impact would be on the community (which I also got) and to see what the benefit would be to the local community, especially in terms of economic development. That is where, disappointingly, things were far less clear.
There are plenty of figures about the possible gain but nothing concrete as far as I could see, and certainly, no facts, figures or sources to support some of the bold claims of benefit.
I can't support the proposals as things stand now.
Earlier this week, I met with Michael Gove MP, who told me that he has a meeting very soon at Farnborough Airport, but he is also not minded to support the proposals based on what he has seen so far.
I should state very clearly that I will not be a member of the planning committee that will determine this application, nor am I a member of the council which is the planning authority that will process the planning application, as this comes under Rushmoor.
However, I will meet with the responsible cabinet member at Surrey County Council to discuss my concerns about this application. No doubt, Surrey County Council will be a statutory consultee.
Surrey Heath will also be a statutory Consultee, and I will write to the relevant portfolio holders to request that Surrey Heath Borough Council respond by objecting to the proposals on environmental grounds and on the impact of the residential amenities of Surrey Heath Residents.
The current level of flight activity is already high, but I would have been willing to consider the merits of any increases if the benefits to the local economy were demonstrably profound. I have seen nothing that was significantly compelling in that regard.
Air Quality is already not great in this area, which adds to my concerns about the local environment.
Moreover, local residents in the main tend to enjoy their gardens at the weekends, and the increase in flight activity at the weekend would be far to much for local residents to accept.
I encourage all residents to take part in the consultation.
- Cllr Paul Deach
