Q5.2 How could your preferred scenario be further enhanced?

A shuttle bus to and from Rochford station.

I believe that number 2 would be the best and only option.Having lived/worked at the Airport for the past 27 years,I truly do not want to see over-expansion/development but to work with what we have.Meaning no to expansion on a medium/large scale and disruption/noise.

Scenario 1

Find an enviromentally sound use for the land which will enrich rather than destroy lives.

1. park and ride scheme
2.redevelop whole site to assist community (doctors/hospital/dentists/public spaces).
3.expand existing green/park spaces

Improved road links to ease congestion to and from the airport.

reduction in scale and better consideration for the local environment

The report fails to discuss the impact on the existing arterial roads, in particular the A127.

Local favour to the high growth option would be easier won if the proposal could tie in plans for a new northern road around Southend from the A130 at Battlesbridge to alieviate the pressure on the A127.

You cannot escape the fact the airport has a flight path that goes directly over Eastwood and Leigh. It is a question of striking a balance between the airport that has been there a long time and the residents who have to coexist with it.

Good on-site parking and traffic management is clearly needed. Encourage people to use public transport (subsidised by Council(s) and airlines and the airport). Why not look at an underground for Essex, linking the towns together?

To ensure that the transport issues related to the growth is properly assessed and the existing highway congestion is not exacerbated, the JAAP will need to set out the transport impact of this high growth scenario. This Scenario will need to mitigate against the possible increase in the traffic movement arising from the high growth option

by closing the airport altogether. It is a white elephant

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

Must have an agreement from the rail operators to run a high speed service from London (similar to the Heathrow or Stanstead Express) so that increased passenger numbers from the airport do not overload an allready busy and crowded service. A smallish fare premium could be applied to the express services to deter commuters and casual off-peak users.

By the recognition of the full development potential of land within the existing airport boundary, as set out in our response to Q 4.13

By an understanding of the transport needs of the proposed development and by an indication of the potential for the provision of public transport, cycling, walking and travel planning measures.

By noting the opportunities for mitigating any adverse environmental impacts.

By the appropriate redrawing of the Green Belt boundary outside the Airport and the development areas.

By noting the likely sequencing of the developments.

By a reconsideration of the use of area ii(c) to ensure that its ecological value is retained within the development areas.

By noting the potential of parts of area ix for local access to the new airport station and as a green buffer between the airport/railway and the local residential area to the east.

Strategic review of highway infrastructure in South East Essex that investigates the feasibility of outer relief road for Southend and Rochford.

I think that to improve scenario 3 more detail should be given to potential congestion along the transport links, mainly the A127 as the juctions at Cuckoo Corner (Victoria Avenue) and The Bell interchange (Princes' Avenue) are already operating above capacity and are likely to get worse as a result of this scenario's implementaion

By (you've guessed it)closing the airport and redeveloping it for a mixed residential, business retail and leisure development

Encouraging, at every opportunity, the importance of any environmentally friendly options to the development plans

Very careful traffic management.

The local authority could undertake to seek to close the airport if the aviation sector is not carbon neutral by 2025.

The plans, passed by Rochford Council, for the new terminal and apron have, in my view, never been sufficiently ambitious and therefore I trust that new plans for a larger facility are in an advanced stage.

The decision to sell airport land for use as a retail park, was very ill conceived. This was the ideal place for a new terminal building and railway station. Furthermore, the demolition of a large part of the reasonably decent terminal, in order to save business rates, was another own goal. However, I suppose we have to accept that without these sacrifices then there would probably not be an airport to discuss.

Public perception may target the large commercial operators as noise and frequency concern some. However the airport has the potential to be a market leader in small (transatlantic capable) business aircraft and services which bring bespoke services and prestigous passengers and aircraft. This also relies on the runway extension.