Q5.1 Which is your preferred Scenario for the future of the Southend Airport area?

I do not have a computer. I am sorry I have tried to answer the questions but feel I haven't got all the information! Haven't been much help. Felt the need to complete as you sent a stamped addressed envelope. Sincere apologies.

Scenario / Option 3.

Scenario 3 "High Growth" would have the potential to deliver the predicated growth for the airport expansion and bring significant economic benefits to Southend and the South Essex sub-region. In order to realise the potential for increasing commercial traffic at London Southend Airport and in attracting airline operators to run scheduled passenger services to various destination, within the UK and within Europe, an extended runway is essential.
The expansion of the employment areas around the airport will help to foster the growth of the aviation related cluster of businesses and also help to support and develop the current role of the airport for maintenance, repair and overhaul.
This scenario has a balanced approach to growth, ensuring that the area makes the best use of the opportunities presented to it over the plan period. This approach has a strong employment focus in the JAAP. Other employment areas within the two authority areas may be prejudiced with the concentrated investment in the JAAP, however there is a need to provide quality environment for business investment that will support the cluster of specialist aviation employment..
There is no doubt that there will be an environmental impact associated with this scenario will have considerable impact in terms of future development associated with the expansion and the resultant activity in the area. However, such of the impact could be overcome through mitigation measures and through appropriate worded conditions to the planning permission. Impacts from traffic will be the largest of all scenarios and aircraft movements also maximised. These would need to be mitigated and controlled to ensure development is sustainable. However, the potential for mitigation and improvement to environmental assets are enhanced by the interest in the area from private and public sectors. In changing the character of the area funding will be attracted to promote transport and environmental projects aimed at improving the JAAP area.
The Scenarios 1 and 2a are unlike to contribute to the enhancement of the local environment or the improvement of the local transport and accessibility due to piecemeal nature of the growth. These Scenarios are unlikely attract other external funding or private investment that will make a visible impact in the area.

Further to your request for observations on the four scenarios set out in your Plan, I would comment as follows:

1. If it was not for the pressure of an expansion of the airport the majority of the suggestoins would not have arisen. Such jargon as environmental enhancement and mitigation are being used to cload the pressure exerted for a commercial gain by the airport operators.

2. If the runway is to be extended and/or Eastwoodbury Lane is to be closed with the new section of roadway built then some of the proposals for additional commercial use might be justified but certainly not the absurd proposal in scenario 3 to relocate the rugby club. The club has a valuable clubhouse which would be very expensive to replace without any tangible benefit envrionmentally or otherwise. There is already a surplus of commercial property and more empty units will benefit noone.

3. Although it would appear as irrelevant to the airport expansion a case can be made out for some development in the Brickworks site.

To sum up I am of the opinion that the best option for the residents of Rochford and Southend is Scenario 1. Further development of the airport would increase both noise and pollution and the detrimental effects on the residents far outway the commercial benefits, mainly to the operators.

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.

I think the airport is an asset going to waste through under use.

I would like to see the airport back to as it was in the 70's and 80's being a real asset to the 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?

Scenario 1 Low Growth

I agrre that taxpayers' money should be invested in the local community and not in these proposals which lack an independent, feasibility study on the long-term future of an expanded Southend airport and its real benefits to the community and economy.

option 1

I support Scenario 1, Low Growth minimising increased pollution & congestion.
Present infrastructure is not coping, any improvements will be too little, too late.
Escape from East of Southend takes longer each year this can only aggravate situation.
Promise of jobs is seductive but hides real issue of living with an international airport of 2 million passengers pa in a densely populated area of difficult access.

I object to any significant expansion proposals. I feel sure we will all live to rue the day should signifiant expansion be allowed from which there will be no going back. Roads gridlocked, carbon footprints, traffic jams, aviation fuel polluting the air, noise pollution. A handful of select businesses will benefit, the majority of us will suffer

Option 1 Low Growth is the only sensible option. I am against any significant expansion as this will have a negative effect on the quality of living for most residents. In addition to this, there will be all manner of knock-on implications. A high probability of serious road congestion, pollution, disruption. Southend is geographically placed at 'the end of the line' in a geograpical 'dead end' due to it being bordered on 3 sides by water. Therefore there is only one direction in and out of Southend and that is from the west along the A127 and perhaps the A13. Anyone who travels these roads daily as I do will know that any passengers will have to avoid driving to Southend between 7:30am and 9:15am, or 3:30pm to 6:30 pm Monday to Friday. Also avoiding Bank Holiday weekends, and any sunny weekends and any days that Southend United are playing at home or they WILL miss their flights. Most people will NOT travel down by train. The location of Southend means it will have a small catchment for passengers, realistically people north of Chelmsford or west of Brentwood are most likely going to go to Stanstead which is a much easy journey with better connections. If the airport expands significantly I believe it will end up being a white elephant a few years on when people start deserting it. Allow it to continue as it is, or do something radically different on the land if the Airport claims it is not viable.
Without massive improvements to the infrastrucure of Southend, as far reaching as enabling people to drive/travel to Southend from the south or the north which is a whole different debate with river crossings involved,this expansion will create too many problems for the local residents and travelling public and should not be allowed.
Also contemplate the environmental impact as a time when oil prices are rocketing, the western world is being urged to break its dependency on fossil fuels, the UK Goverment committing to reducing CO2 emmissions, this expansion does not make sense except to a handful of businesses who would reap the benefits over the short term of receing financial help from government and council.

No growth.

No expansion. All efforts should be to reduce polluting air travel.

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

Lets go for it. The airport cannot continue as it is , so if it's going to expand then let it expand to the "max"