London Southend Airport and Environs Joint Area Action Plan Preferred Options

Object

Representation ID: 12207

Received: 14/05/2009

Respondent: Peter Walker Chess Coachin

PWCC objects to this proposal.

Object

Representation ID: 12208

Received: 14/05/2009

Respondent: Peter Walker Chess Coachin

PWCC objects to this proposal

Object

Representation ID: 14312

Received: 03/06/2009

Respondent: Peter Walker Chess Coachin

Any development dependent upon fossil fuel cannot but be concerned with these two issues. Peak oil, a phenomenon recognised by science and oil industry, including the International Energy Agency, is the point at which the world's demand for oil outstrips the available supply. Some scientists think we may already have passed this point, but the vast majority, including the International Energy Agency, believe that we will have done by 2020.

Object

Representation ID: 14313

Received: 03/06/2009

Respondent: Peter Walker Chess Coachin

What are the implications of Peak Oil? Given that economic growth throughout history has been closely linked to the easy availability of fossil fuels, once peak oil is passed we can expect not just a steady decline in economic growth, but an increasing shrinkage in the World Economy. It is therefore clear that growth based upon internal combustion engine technology, including aircraft, is set to stop within the next decade. for this reason it is clearly folly to be building or expanding airports, as existing airports will be scurrying around looking to attract a shrinking customer base. This is already in evidence as a result of the recent economic downturn. The fact that the authors of the JAAP fail to mention Peak Oil anywhere in their document demonstrates that they are either remarkably stupid or, more likely, that they have ulterior motives for deceiving the public.

Object

Representation ID: 14314

Received: 03/06/2009

Respondent: Peter Walker Chess Coachin

Climate Change in itself will not prevent the expansion of the airport, but Government Policy on climate change will. The science on Climate Change is not merely that it exists as a result of CO2 emissions from the burning of fossil fuel, but that CO2 continues to rise at an increasing rate as a result of developments just like the extension of Southend Airport in addition, damage being done by higher levels of CO2 is increasing far more quickly than scientists, even as little as 5 years ago, expected. Two of the major contributors to climate change are aeroplanes and cars. and the JAAP wants to see a lot more of both.

Object

Representation ID: 14315

Received: 03/06/2009

Respondent: Peter Walker Chess Coachin

Government scientists recognise the need for a 42% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2020. Southend Borough Council's own policy like that of most councils based on out-of-date data, required a reduction of 20% by 2020. That means that rather than looking for ways of burning more oil in cars and planes, the Council's highest priority should be reducing the numbers of cars by catering for alternative means of transport and planning for a future in which Southend Airport will be closed.

Object

Representation ID: 14316

Received: 03/06/2009

Respondent: Peter Walker Chess Coachin

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the JAAP is its total disregard of the principles of The Nottingham Declaration, to which as of 26th June 2008, Southend Borough Council became a signatory. I have included the Declaration (original on dislplay in the foyer at the Civic Centre) at the end of this letter.

Object

Representation ID: 14317

Received: 03/06/2009

Respondent: Peter Walker Chess Coachin

So far as the specific proposals in the JAAP are concerned, the vast majority are almost beyond belief in the way that they will affect for the worse the qualtiy of life of the people of Southend. If a time ever comes in which there are between 50 and 100 commercial aeroplanes taking off and landing every day at southend, then the residents will be driven to madness through lack of sleep and no peace during the day. Schools such as Blenhem, St Thomas More, Belfairs and West Leigh will be unable to teach for large parts of the day because of engine noise. Air quality will be hugely damaged because of the fumes from burnt and half-burnt fuel; traffic levels already beyond that for which our roads were designed, will be intolerable.

Object

Representation ID: 14318

Received: 03/06/2009

Respondent: Peter Walker Chess Coachin

Almost laughably, the document uses the words 'sustainable' and 'sustainability' no fewer than 26 times without actually defining what the word means. The dictionary definition of 'sustainable' is 'Capable of being continued with minimal long-term effect on the environment'. Absolutely none of the proposals in the JAAP are sustainable: they are dependent upon the use of oil, a finite resource; they require land use for unsustainable means of transport in the form of the car and the aeroplane; and if this plan is ever carried out will contribute further to the massive damage being done to this planet in the form of climate change.