Coventry Airport critics meet inspectors
18.03.06
Two of Coventry Airport's strongest critics explained to inspectors this week why they object to any increase in passenger flights from the Baginton site. Archy Muir, of the Campaign Against Expansion at Coventry Airport, and Councillor Bertie MacKay gave evidence at a public inquiry into whether permission should be granted for a 10,000 sq m terminal capable of handling two million passengers a year.
Mr Muir, who lives in Stoneleigh, told the gathering: 'Would the consequences of expansion be severe? Of course they would.' He questioned the relevance of the sometimes highly technical nature of the debate, feeling it does not always relate to residents' everyday concerns.
Mr Muir said: 'Few people in the local community talk in terms of computer-modelled noise contours or percentage particulate levels. But very many do talk about the awful effects the airport's expansion is already having on their lives, especially in terms of noise, odours, pollutants and other environmental impacts.'
And he presented testimonies from anonymous residents telling of the effect the airport already has on their lives. One, from north Leamington, said: 'The frequent drone of aircraft is wearing and irritating. The result is depression and oppression, as it is not possible to escape from it when at home.'
Councillor MacKay meanwhile highlighted what he called 'brazen' previous breaches of planning rules by the airport, adding: 'If the airport wish to know why there are so many objectors with strong suspicions about its ethics and modus operandi, they know now.'
He shared Mr Muir's theme of science and 'envrionmental impact assessments' not telling the full story, saying: 'Environment is a broad-based term. What should concern us most is people. Let us try 'people impact assessment' or 'human impact assessment'. People can tell experts what they experience, how they feel, when they are disturbed, frustrated, and when the social disruption within a community is a price too high for cheap air travel.'
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