Arguments against Coventry Airport expansion
14.01.06
The second public enquiry in to passenger use of Coventry airport commenced this week. In opening statements by lawyers representing those for and against the expansion of the airport, the arguments for and against the expansion were laid out. Here we summarise the arguments against the expansion.
Opposition to Coventry Airport's plans remains strong and vociferous after years of tireless campaigning by residents. Many remain unconvinced on promises to give the worst-affected households money to insulate against noise, and about claims that operations have no significantly harmful effect on the environment.
Among these is Councillor Bertie MacKay (Ind, Stoneleigh), who said in his opening statement to the inquiry: 'The overwhelming interest of my community is that this development should be refused.'
'I have been asked frequently if I want to see the airport closed. Not so. But I am opposed to the scale of the development, its seriously adverse impacts, its nature and the modus operandi of the airport. The specific concerns are the serious adverse effects caused by noise on the character and tranquillity of conservation areas, historic buildings and landscapes.
'This development enables the environmental and social destruction of a village and its setting. This harm cannot be avoided, mitigated or compensated for. It can only, and should be, prevented.'
Councillor MacKay also cast doubt on claims the expansion will bring more money and jobs to the area. 'The economic benefit is flawed because the oft-repeated 'new jobs' should be viewed in the context of outbound tourism.'
'Of how much benefit to the local, regional and national economy is a flight to Alicante? In 2005, 2.1 million seats were available to Alicante from 25 British airports. In 2004 outbound tourists outnumbered inbound by 25 to one. The tourism deficit is now £17.6 billion.'
Councillor MacKay questioned the character of those who run the airport. 'I have found it necessary to expose the airport company's lack of trustworthiness, in that for months before December 2005 it allowed the Air Atlantique freight business to operate in breach of an agreement from 1998.'
Concluding, he said: 'The development should be refused because it will deliver more economic benefit to its destinations in Europe than to the sub-region, it will replicate what is available with a wider choice from Birmingham 11 miles away, and because its environmental and social disbenefits are disproportionate to the economic benefits it purports to bring.'
The Campaign to Protect Rural England presented to the inquiry its objections to the terminal and ensuing increase in passenger flights. Its opening statement read: 'The current proposal would involve almost a tripling of the number of passengers using the airport, together with a very substantial continued growth of freight and other aviation activity.'
'This would have serious environmental consequences for local people and for the character of the surrounding area, and these cannot be adequately mitigated or compensated for. The proposed expansion is for the wrong airport at the wrong time. Conflicts are inherent in the very nature of the proposal.'
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