Q4.1 What do you see as the role of London Southend Airport in the future?

An airport offering a range of meaningful services to Europe and British Isles, in economical and low noise commuter/regional jets. Local people want to be able to use the airport, instead of having to make tedious car journeys to Gatwick/Stansted and Heathrow.
The airport will never be another Heathrow or Stansted, but should offer links to inter-continental flights by connecting to European hubs such as Frankfurt/Paris/Amsterdam/Brussels/Copenhagen.
It should offer a range of worthwhile careers to local people of all abilities, and act as an economic springboard for the whole area.

I see it as a private flying club, housing estate or aircraft museum, park and ride.

A major and unique contribution to the area - it has declined and decayed but is in a wonderful position to create more properity and convenience for those who live in S Essex

Much has been written in the proposal documents but I haven't found anywhere detailing the make and type of aircraft expected to use Southend or whether they can without restrictions (take off with full payloads) just estimated aircraft movements. Southend supports the other London and East Coast airports during bad weather as often planes are diverted to Southend. This is the one good reason that the Airport must remain and any proposed development, will solely depend on the capability of the runway. Had written more but had to delete most to stay under 100 words!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There is a comprehensive analysis of the area that is both clear and understable.

London Southend Airport is a major asset for Southend-on-Sea and the wider South Essex sub-region. It is identified as a major economic driver for the future business and commercial development of the town and the sub-region and is endorsed in the Regeneration Framework and supported by the Partners for the economic growth and regeneration of Southend-on-Sea. The future growth of the local and sub-regional economic growth will be achieved through the development of the airport for commercial flights and industrial activities based on the expansion of the aviation business and industrial cluster, in particular enhancing the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) business. The aviation operation and the MRO based businesses need to be provided the opportunity to expand their operations in the industrial and employment area on the periphery of the airport, in terms of allocating adjacent land for employment purposes to meet future needs.

To enable the airport expand and to increase its operations for commercial flights, extending the runway will become necessary. The existing runway length is inadequate to meet the requirements of the airline operators and without the improvement of the airport infrastructure there will be considerable uncertainty in the airports role for attracting commercial passenger flights operator(s).

LSA at present with its good connections and future improvements in the infrastructure and facilities is well placed to become a regional airport. The future development of the airport is supported at the national level by the Air Transport White Paper (2003), the regional level by the East of England Plan (Policies E7 and T12) and by the sub-regional strategies of the Thames Gateway.

I would like to register my objection to any increase in size to Southend Airport. The current noise levels make it difficult to hear even with double glazing and are bearable only due to the limited numbers of planes currently. A row of connifers recently felled (habitat for endangered bats which have all but disappeared)increased the traffic noise considerable from what would presumably be one of the access roads-how much worse this get with increased levels of traffic as well. No thought for the enviroment again!!!

I think the airport has so much potential and to keep it as it is is a waste when it could bring so much to area.

There is great local demand for European flights whether day trips or holiday flights. During 70's and 80's Southend Airport was extremely busy and European flights were often wait-listed as flights were full.

How will a new station affect Rochford Station?

I do not want to see the airport expanded at all because of the nature of the area, lack of infrastructure and environmental issues.

expansion upside:profit for airport operator and limited extra good jobs most going to non-resident skilled.Fly on your holiday fortnight.downside:tremendous increase in noise and pollution for 52 weeks and chaotic travel on road and rail.proposed flight movements and passenger numbers are eye watering.Do the sums yourself.Latest suitor to buy is london city airport.Urge you all to read web page londoncityairportfighttheflights.blogspot.com note that their runway is shorter than southend with a current annual 3 million passengers and more wanted!

The real benefits, if properly assessed and seen from the long-term and overall cost, do not justify the impact to the environment, road congestion and people's lives. Southend is the/one of the largest towns in Essex. It's too highly populated to consider expanding the airport.

More clarity is required with regards potential options, costs and benefits is required to answer this question. What has the airport done for the area to date? Maybe the best thing is to regenerate the airport area with some quality low cost housing, and office developments? I have yet to see any real definition of tangible costs, benefits. It would be good for the CAA.

a small country airport

It should remain focused on it's current business of aircraft maintainance with a very limited number of passenger flights. No runway extension, no larger jets = no increase in danger,noise, pollution or traffic.

Maintaining a small-scale airport, no larger than it's current size.

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

THe airport should remain a regional operator

I object to the expansion of the airport, only minimum adjustments should be made. We have an unreliable railway link that could not support the increased passenger numbers, nor is their the infastructure to expand the roads to deal with the increased traffic. Along with the fact that housing prices around the local area will be driven down by the increased noise pollution & with the government trying to cut UK pollution rates we should not be building anymore airports. In the current economic climate, wouldn't funds be better spent on improving already existing local facilties.

I see the role of southend airport in the future as a training centre for pilots and a specialist in repair and maintenance.

As a maintenance and repair garage for planes,and a landing area and refuelling base for smaal aircraft that fly all the daylight hours.

There's a strong case for leaving Southend Airport as it is.
Before embarking on extending 06/24, look at why the Government Inspectorate in 1966 rejected the proposed extension to 15/33 which could have alleviated the problems over Rochford, Leigh and Westcliff by up to 60%
It was rejected on environmental grounds, even though it is mostly open country to the N.W.
You should well understand why we don't want an extension to 06/24 some 40, years later.
Look in the archives of the old Southend Standard from 1954 onwards and also the Evening Echo from 1970. currently held in Southend Library.

In line with the Future of Air Transport White Paper, LSACL sees the future role of the Airport to meet local demand to around 2 million passengers per annum and to contribute to regional economic regeneration. 2 million is about the level that Southampton operates at now and is completely different in scale from a major airport such as Stansted which handles over 20 million passengers a year. In parallel with passenger growth the aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul activity should grow from its existing strong base into an international centre of engineering excellence, to include the training and development of people and a 'one stop shop' for aircraft owners and operators. The White Paper noted the opportunity to meet demand ahead of the provision of additional runways at the South East's major airports (now considered very unlikely before 2015 and perhaps much later) and the timing is now influenced by the 2012 Olympics

Important major economic driver for regeneration in South East Essex that must realise its full potential as a regional airport and further develop high quality aviation engineering jobs in the maintenance, repair and overhaul industry sector.

4.1 In view of its close proximity to residential areas, and the crucial need to reduce CO2 emissions, the built up parts including car parks should be redeveloped for business / residential with ancillary development including an element of retail.