Views wanted on flightpath plans

Gatwick Airport is inviting residents to have their say on proposals to change existing flight paths.
CAGNE members and supporters walk from the Carfax to the Drill Hall in demonstration of the Gatwick Expansion proposal & Flight Path Trials (Submitted by Steve Peskett).CAGNE members and supporters walk from the Carfax to the Drill Hall in demonstration of the Gatwick Expansion proposal & Flight Path Trials (Submitted by Steve Peskett).
CAGNE members and supporters walk from the Carfax to the Drill Hall in demonstration of the Gatwick Expansion proposal & Flight Path Trials (Submitted by Steve Peskett).

The Gatwick Airspace Consultation follows a wider airspace consultation, which ended in January.

North Horsham is affected by the proposed departure routes west of the Sussex airport, which are designed to affect fewer residents. It is totally separate from the second runway debate.

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Tom Denton, head of corporate responsibility at London Gatwick, said: “Our local residents and communities are a key priority when it comes to airspace change.

“We want to minimise noise for as many people as we possibly can – and where that’s not possible – offer respite options as a mitigating measure. We urge all local communities to have their say in this second phase so we can benefit as many people as possible.”

Option A, which is currently being trialled, has planes flying west over Rusper, Kingsfold, just north of Slinfold and Warham. It has already caused controversy with residents there.

Option B takes planes nearer Rudgwick, north of Slinfold and then south west past Five Oaks.

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Option C takes planes further north still and would affect more people because it involves changes to two existing flight paths. Options B and C will not be trialled.

The consultation documents, available online at www.gatwickairport.com/gatwickairspaceconsultation show residents maps of the proposed routes, with Noise Preferential Routes (NPRs) highlighted. These are areas around the paths in which planes can fly.

Current guidelines state an NPR can be 3km. London Gatwick is proposing they be reduced to 500m, 1km, 1.5km or 2km and is asking residents to indicate their preference. The wider the NPR, the more residents would potentially be affected, however it concentrates flights to a smaller area.

The 12-week consultation runs until Friday August 15. People are urged to respond directly or contact their MP or councillors. The airport will also arrange briefing sessions with affected communities upon request to explain how proposals might affect them.