21 Jun 2023
Do the negative impacts of the expansion of Luton Airport outweigh the benefits to the local community?
That is the assertion by the Harpenden Society in response to proposals to increase passenger numbers to 32m per annum.
The Society intends to submit evidence to the forthcoming Public Inquiry about specific concerns about the impact of the development on the local community, neighbouring communities and its members.
Luton Rising, the trading name of London Luton Airport Limited, said the expansion will create an extra 10,500 jobs on top of the 16,800 currently supported by the airport, and it will also add another £1bn to the local economy, as well as delivering more funds to support the most vulnerable Luton residents.
it insists that in line with Luton’s 2040 vision of a carbon-neutral town, the benefits from the airport’s expansion will not come at the expense of the planet and people’s quality of life. Luton Rising has a unique framework called Green Controlled Growth, which will have some of the most stringent constraints on growth, linked to environmental impacts, of any UK airport and be written into law.
But Harpenden Society chairman Jeff Phillips has raised concerns about increased noise and congestion on the roads and railways and indirectly through increased greenhouse gases.
“Luton Rising is essentially proposing that noise levels remain fairly consistent with noise levels that exceeded the extant planning consent limits in 2019, despite the fact the planning consent limits are scheduled to fall substantially until 2028 under the existing planning permission (and under the 19mppa planning application subject to call-in by two Secretary’s of State), thus the noise proposals fail to meet either the government’s policy aims of minimising and reducing noise levels or sharing the benefits of (noise reduction) technology between the aviation industry and communities affected by noise.
“So far as congestion on the roads and railways are concerned, the key access roads, the M1 and A1 and local roads such as the A1081 and A515, are already subject to severe delay during the morning and evening peaks but the application’s proposals for improving the road network are extremely limited (and makes assumptions about future motorway use may not be achieved given concern about smart motorways).
“On the railways, the story is similar, during the morning and evening peaks Thameslink trains are overcrowded between Harpenden and St Pancras and there is little or no scope for increasing the frequency of trains (especially if the rail freight depot at Radlett opens).
“We do not believe that Green Controlled Growth is an effective way of ensuring environmental conditions aren’t breached.”
The Society also questions whether members of Luton Rising have the necessary aviation experience, and there was uncertainty surrounding any commercial arrangements with the airport concessionaire, who would undertake the development.
When the St Albans Times approached Luton Rising for a response, we were directed to their latest press release, which urged concerned parties to have their say on the plans before this coming Friday.
Luton Borough Councillor Javeria Hussain, chair of Luton Rising, said: “The expansion of our airport is crucial to our communities, both in terms of jobs created and the vital contribution the airport makes to local services and community organisations. I urge local residents to get involved in making their voice heard before time runs out.”
Nick Prowse, interim managing director of Luton Rising added: “Whether you are for or against our proposals, don’t miss this chance to be part of the examination process. By making a Relevant Representation before the 23 June deadline, you can make sure that your views are taken into consideration.”
Have your say at https://lutonrising.org.uk/dco-representation/
