From Redbourn Parish Council Minutes 15 Dec 05

191 Luton Airport

Two meetings have been organised to discuss the proposed expansion of Luton Airport

• Thursday, 12th January 2006 at the Fowden Hall, Rothamsted Centre at 7.30 pm

• Tuesday, 10th January 2006 in Kimpton Memorial Hall at 7.30 pm

John Stanley is to attend the Planning Meeting on Monday, 19th December 2005, to discuss a response to the proposals.

Members noted that concerns go beyond what is happening at the airport and the issue of noise from the airways. Concern was expressed at the infrastructure required for an extended airport, the threat to the Green Belt, congestion on the roads and the problem of finding sufficient water to service the expansion when the rivers in the South East are already drying up and unable to cope with current requirements.

The following is from the Redbourn Parish Council Planning And Development Minutes 19 Dec 2005

LUTON AIRPORT

John Stanley attended the meeting at the invitation of the Planning Committee. He had volunteered to help with any representations to the authorities and to do any work on documents in relation to the proposed airport development. The proposed plans will affect this area enormously and require careful consideration. Responses sought by Luton are through tick boxes and the contents tend to be subjective. He was willing to meet with members of the committee at dates to be confirmed, and asked the members to note that replies have to be made by 27 January 2006.

John Stanley recommended that the Councillors read the Master Plan Consultation Project 2030 Survey (circulated to member at the 28 November 2005 meeting) in which four options had been put forward. Option A was most preferable for Redbourn but not the operators; Option B would be the easiest to construct; Option C would bring the flight path nearer to Redbourn and even over it; Option D would make the biggest difference with issues in relation to staffing and the infrastructure, and is intended for 55 million passengers annually (30 million by 2030).

The Government are also proposing development to Gatwick, Heathrow and Stanstead and it would seem that these airports are to be used for long to mid-haul flights. The consultation document regarding the development of Luton states that the number of passengers are to increase to 55 million as the major London Airport north of the Thames. In order to cater for the increase in passengers, one new long runway is proposed, which will operate alongside the existing runway and 5 taxiways and additional terminals and control tower. Option A on the other hand involves lengthening the existing runway, making the taxi way full length and improved parking. Stage 1 planning permission for this (early 2006) seeks to do all of this except lengthening the runway. It would make Luton safer and ground movement noise might be reduced. Perhaps this should not be opposed.

The issues he felt members should consider were:

• Noise levels • Housing for increase in airport and associated industry employees • Water supplies • Traffic (roads and density) • Reliable power sources for industry and housing • Increased aviation fuel storage risks

Members agreed it would be best to submit specific responses to the consultation document through the Parish Council with the help of John Stanley, and that responses of a more general nature should be made jointly, say with Harpenden Town Council.