Q.3.3 Are there any other additional objectives that might help to guide the selection of the preferred option/options and JAAP?

The development of the airport should be considered using longer-term strategies.
Lower-noise, high fuel efficiency aircraft are already on the drawing board and their reduced environmental impact should be considered in any proposals.
Not all traffic should be considered 'outbound'. Local tourism and London tourism with Southend/Rochford as low-cost places to stay are a big opportunity.
Tour operators seeking cost effective departure points could be another 'speciality' opportunity when marketing the airport.
The need for better transport links in general might be supported further if another Govt. strategy for increased runway capacity is included in any application for state funding.

I believe the objective should be to keep it simple and not aim too high. In my opinion this location is not the suitable for a major airport but a modest increase in capacity would be very beneficial.

safety of residents is also an issue. The area is in a residential area with approach and take off paths over built up areas. Southampton airport to which Southend is often compared is not compeltely surrounded by houses.

The Government White Paper on Air Transport (2003) supports the development of regional airports such as London Southend Airport. The East of England Plan (Regional Spatial Strategy), Policies E7 and T12 also supports the enhanced management and development of the regions airports, including London Southend Airport, to meet national and regional objectives for economic growth and regeneration.

The Southend-on-Sea Borough Council Core Strategy and the Rochford District Council Local Plan also support the future development of the airport and development of the employment area for future economic growth.

The Regeneration Framework prepared by Renaissance Southend (2007) sets out the key priorities for the future regeneration of Southend. The airport is seen as the driver for economic growth and for the regeneration of Southend and the South Essex Sub-region. The future development and expansion of the aviation based industrial/business cluster around the airport is identified as building upon the existing industrial and business activity supporting g the airport operations. The various employment areas along the A127 transport corridor have an important role for economic growth and in creating employment opportunities in the sub-region.

Southend Airport and Environs Joint Area Action Plan consultation (JAAP)

Response from Hilary Davison

2.1 Are the assets of the JAAP area fully reported and understood?
No. Rochford Hundred Golf Course And Rochford Tennis Club are not recorded

2.2 Are there any important assets missing from the assessment?
No

3.1 Do you agree with the overall vision for the JAAP?
Yes

3.2 Do the objectives set out cover the key requirements from the area?
Yes But with following amendments
b) Insert local regional after thriving
c) add to end are in place before any expansion of the airport and other areas of the JAAP.
d) remove whether; change or for and

3.3 Are there any other objectives that might help to guide the selection of the preferred option/options and JAAP?
Major public and private transport infrastructure improvements
To protect & enhance biodiversity issues within the area covered and those outside that may be affected by the JAAP area

4.1 What do you see as the role of London Southend Airport in the future?
1. Provide air transport and aviation related industries
2. To secure regeneration to enable it to reach its potential to function as a local regional airport (SBC Core Strategy, Objective SO11)
More on Newquay model expending to Norwich model with required infrastructure. Catering for the niche UK market bringing more passengers in and out and increasing the tourist market.Destinations to N & Central Europe. Thereafter look to northern and central continent, CI and Ireland targeting 'short break market'
3. Act as a driver for the economy

4.2 How can the airport best be developed to drive and support the local economy?
Airport expansion along with economic/business improvements work best as a package. It should be consequential to, and not specifically be the driver.

4.3 What role should the JAAP play in supporting wider employment growth in the sub-region?
JAAP to act as facilitator for both authorities to work together for the regeneration of the area

4.4 Is the area suitable for significant growth in employment?
Yes - But must consider whether growth in employment will create added vehicle movements & therefore an increase in air pollution & road congestion.
Major trunk road improvements vital

4.5 Will the area be attractive to investors?
Yes, if high or medium airport growth options are chosen; if leisure acvtivities are included and better tranportation is in place.

4.6 Are there additional options to consider?
Yes probable detrimental effect of relocation of existing businesses from other business parks in the vicinity causing displacement of labour and run down of other sites e.g. Progress Road, Purdeys Way and Sutton Road

4.7 Should the Green Belt be considered for revision? If so, how should it be revised?
Only the green belt within the airport perimeter should be revised and then only in accordance with airport expansion and safety issues The Area ii(a) should be considered for use for permitted expansion of Aviation Way Business Park (i.e.10acres[4.05h) only) within Green Belt Area as is the Old Brickworks
OR that only those areas be taken out of Green Belt designation

4.8 What enhancements to the environment and amenity of the area should be made? What are the priority areas?
General recreational enhancements for all the population, such as a Nature Park. To be funded out of Developers Contributions and Country Park be extended to take in all Green Belt land between Southend & Rochford
(2) Extra care and vigilance to prevent industrial waste polluting Eastwood Brook. This has been a problem in the past and probably will after expansion of industrial area

4.9 What do you see as the greatest potential impact of development in the JAAP and how can it be mitigated?
Carbon and aviation fuel emissions and noise pollution - Create a 20 year airport expansion plan with improved transportation included.
Have proper consultations with fixed based operators
Mitigation by restricting the types of aircraft used and restricting night flying

4.10 What do you consider to be the transport priorities for the JAAP?
Firstly, identify the cachment area targeted for airport passengers and the other component parts of the JAAP area and consider the new and improved roads required.
There is no conceivable answer to road improvements for the maximum number of passenger numbers considered in the JAAP
Road linkage to central Southend and to the west to be put in place before airport developments take place
As the number of passengers increases then consideration given to extra trains specifically for Southend Airport to and from London.

4.11 How can a shift from car use to other modes of transport be achieved?
Implementation of a travel plan for airport staff and businesses on the airport Park and Rde schemes with shuttle buses to/from the airport
Expensive parking fees at the airport and surrounding roads (with residents' permits)
Much improved local bus services to/from all local areas.

4.12 Do you agree with the proposed areas for change?
No

4.13 Are there any areas that should be added or removed? Why?
Remove
(ii) Agricultural land north of Aviation Way Business Park except :i (old brickworks)
ii(a) (10acres actually on the north side of Aviation Way itself, for limited development only)
iic (buffer zone)
(v) Agricultural land south of airport boundary, currently cricket pitch, agricultural land and private allotments, unless reserved for recreational purposes

5.1 Which is your preferred scenario for the future of the Southend Airport area
Replace with Medium Growth 2b Aviation Cluster

5.2 How could your preferred scenario be further enhanced?
By not revising any Green Belt except what lies within the airport boundary and i + iia + iic
A better mix of leisure inc. theme parks, office and light engineering

5.3 Are there any other scenarios which you feel have not been considered? Expansion of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul operations within area (iii) Land at end of Aviation Way
2. Accept that the prevailing road and rail infrastructure is inadequate and cannot easily be enhanced to accommodate an international airport.
Look at a regional airport on the lines of Newquay initially and engage with fixed based operators to plot the way forward with an agreed plan over say 20 years
Ensure that the plan covers both inward and outward passengers to support local needs in air travel requirements and as part of the promotion of Southend and its locality for the tourist industry

As noted in our comments on this section, the SSBC Core Strategy, RDC Local Plan, RSL Regeneration Framework and also the East of England Plan and the Regional Economic Strategy all have statements about the objectives for the Airport which could be added here to give a clearer picture of the context.

Future plans for Southend Airport must take into account existing and future plans for improvements to local road system and /or links to existing or planned trunk roads.

3.3 An additional objective should be the reduction of the emission of carbon dioxide by reducing fights to and from the airport

Yes - to minimise the impact of ANY growth on local residents.

How about maintaining the quality of life for the many thousands of council tax paying residents of the local authorities affected.

The local authorities should pursue sustainable development options, that do not increase greenhouse gas emissions.
A responsible local authority is one that promotes those economic activities that reduce such emissions.

Any objectives for the selection of the preferred option for JAAP have to take into account climate change and peak oil.

Any new developments need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions otherwise even a short, initial increase in economic will be offset be the climate disaster facing us or the next generation.

At the same time a development has to take into account peak oil which is the end of cheap oil. We need to invest in project reducing our dependency on that cheap, imported oil. Think renewable energy projects.

The REDUCTION of the emission of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change
Human-induced climate change poses the biggest long-term threat to global biodiversity. Studies have indicated that one third of land based species could be on the pathway to extinction by 2050 unless immediate measures are taken to curtail increasing emissions.

YES
The REDUCTION of the emission of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change
Human-induced climate change poses the biggest long-term threat to global biodiversity. Studies have indicated that one third of land based species could be on the pathway to extinction by 2050 unless immediate measures are taken to curtail increasing emissions.

Avoid increase in actual and perceived noise disturbance to residents in the larger area, particularly those near the flightpaths. Avoid increased air pollution. Avoid loss of any green belt or other agricultural or green areas. There should be no increase in business until surface travel infrastructure has been addressed and functions far better than it does today and can cope with any increase. Public transport, inc park & ride, shuttles etc must be provided and be attractive to use

You have my full support. Please do not let blinkered people stop the needed expansion and the much needed regeneration of this has-been town!

Encouragement of light aviation by lowering exorbitant landing fees and parking fees.

The main problem regarding development of the airport is the impact on the road infrastructure which has not been addressed by this report. The Cherry Orchard Way was constructed to allow easy access to Southend thus relieving the Ashingdon Road and Southend Road. It was promised that no new development would be allowed along it except the business park at the Southend end, which had already had permission and had been released from the green belt back in 1985. The Brickwork site was to be returned to arable land as per conditions in the original permission for brick earth extraction.

Rochford should not be called upon to relieve Southend of their obligations to provide employment land. The report says that there is scope for intensification of employment land. This should be done before any new land is released.

Since the expansion of Stansted and London City airports, Southend airport has declined it has also lost its airspace. There is little scope for improvement any new facilities proposed do not match Stansted which at least has the road infrastructure. The proposed diverting of Eastwoodbury Lane and dualing of Cherry Orchard Way and extra access points would cause traffic problems during construction and loss of arable land.

The only realistic scenario is option 1 low growth. The other scenario will have great environmental impact of traffic, pollution and visual to the detriment of Rochford District residents.