Paragraph 2.2 Policy Objectives of the JAAP
This policy statement lists five bullet points most of which are contradicted by the proposed actions.
The connectivity promoted by the Airport is of a very limited kind. The vast majority of the passengers attracted to flights from London Southend Airport are seasonal holidaymakers. Few use the railway station, some come by coach or taxi but the majority arrives and departs by private car. Apart from the increase in air pollution, this traffic by clogging up the limited road access to the area is an impediment to commercial activities that contribute to the wealth of the majority of residents. For the majority most of the time this does not improve connectivity quite the reverse in fact is true.
Such congestion will act as a deterrent to future investment in the area and may in fact drive away current businesses. Airport passengers pass through the area without stopping and only the operators of the Airport stand to gain from them coming. This is hardly an efficient use and upgrading of existing employment and land resources.
The last thing that an airport does is to ensure a high quality public realm and environment for residents and workers. If those who propose this development had consulted "What are Airport's Impacts" Planning Guide Part 2 by C. Weston they would not have made such a foolish statement. This guide is available by download from the Internet and I submit its availability in evidence.
The undesirable effects of airports were totally disregarded in the Submission Draft. To develop one so close to residential housing as proposed does not conform to Government, European Union or the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) policy.
This section of the Submission Draft is therefore unbalanced. The Submission Draft is required by statute to be balanced, lack of balance makes it unlawful.