I should explain that I am the Secretary to the Southend Airport Consultative Committee but that I am submitting these views in my private capacity as a resident living not very far from the Airport. I am also a member of the Rochford Hundred Golf Club.

I have lived in Southend, apart from a period of three years in the 1970s, since 1959. Although the town has its problems, particularly egress and access, living here has many advantages and I would like to see the town thrive economically whilst retaining its environmental benefits.

Over the years that I have lived in Southend the amount of industrial activity in the town has reduced significantly. This mirrors the reduction of Britain as a productive country but it has been exacerbated in Southend by its geographical position and poor communication links. This is a concern because I believe that it is important for the town that there should be a balance of employment. Although Southend has a number of sites that are vacant, because it is relatively densely populated, these can only be developed with housing or commercial properties. It is also largely developed up to its boundaries and there are few areas where industrial development could take place. Areas around the study area could provide such opportunities.

I believe that the Airport is already very important to the local economy and could become more so without Southend becoming a less desirable place to live. The modern aircraft that would be able to use the extended runway with a full payroll are quieter and climb quicker than older ones.

Unfortunately, I didn't take advantage of using the Airport when it was possible to fly to European holiday destinations and would welcome the possibility of doing so in due course. At present ordinary residents experience the disbenefits, albeit that they are relatively small, of living near an airport without all of the benefits.

All of these factors lead me to believe that the high growth option is desirable and I note that this has the best fit with the study's strategic objectives. I also note the disadvantages set out in the report and whilst I agree with them, I believe that many of them are already there. For instance, the brickworks site is, in effect a "brownfield" site and the landscape value of the area is affected by development already taking place. So long as the development doesn't extend beyond the boundary shown in Scenario 3, I fully support these proposals.