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Communities Against Runway Expansion C.A.R.E

9th March 2006

Adur Development Plan 

Representation to the Core Strategy Submission Stage ADP 

C.A.R.E. wish to convey to Adur District Council that we find the document The Adur Development Plan difficult to understand

We understand that the Government have a plan to make all representations for public scrutiny to be in Plain English.

We find the Adur Development Plan to be filled with jargon and technicalities that the public are unlikely to understand and would like to recommend that The Adur Development Plan might be amended to bring it in line with the Governments recommendations.

Thank you

Jean Kitchener
C.A.R.E Committee Member

Minutes of Committee Meeting held August 15 2006 at Jay Cooper's house in Lancing

In the Chair: Jay Cooper.

Present: Jean Kitchen, Anne & Brian Goacher, Marion Covey, Eric Williams

1. Apologies for absence: Received from John Grammer, Brian Gill, Martin Maguire

• Minutes of Previous Committee Meeting, held on July 12, were read and signed as a true and fair record of proceedings.

• Matters Arising. In view of the news from the Hon Sec regarding the future of the association, all matters were deferred (if necessary) until consideration and action on that report (which has been entered into the Minutes).

The Hon Sec reported that he had been informed some weeks previously by Moyra Martin (Green Party) that CARE was to be invited to send a small delegation to attend a meeting, instigated by the Green Party, with the Erinaceous Group management. This turned out to be somewhat misleading and, on investigation, so such meeting had been formally agreed, but the Erinaceous Group would welcome a one-to-one meeting with CARE. This had been agreed and arranged.

• Future of CARE:

The Hon Sec formally presented his previously submitted written report on his one-to-one meeting with Nick Cummings, development manager, Erinaceous Group, on July 21.

It was agreed unanimously that the stated mission of CARE had been reached successfully, as no extension or re-siting of the existing main runway by the Erinaceous Group, the new owners of Shoreham Airport, was contemplated.

Other matters of concern, i.e., residential development (in view of the Deputy Prime Minister’s desire to concrete over the whole of SE England); air-pollution issues; the siting of the proposed incinerator; increasing use of jet passenger aircraft and other air traffic volumes; the type of businesses that might be located on the airport site; the proposed airport rail station; future consultation with the owners, etc. The Hon Sec felt that certain of these concerns had been alleviated or dispelled, but there were others that would ‘need watching’ as Erinaceous Group’s plans were somewhat nebulous.

It was agreed there was no future for the association under its current title and aims and objectives and that, as such, CARE should cease to operate under its present format.

All members present agreed that the current committee should remain in office for the present to deal with these other possible matters (current and future) that could cause concern to residents within the airport catchment.

Money held at the bank (before any expenditure incurred on printing and postage to inform members of the current decision) was £300.04, which acting treasure Marion Covey forecast would cover projected outgoings. The bank account will remain in place for the present.

It was agreed that the next meeting of the committee would be held on a suitable date in January 2007. (It noted that Jean Kitchener would be away for the whole of that month.)

The Hon Sec will agree a date with members and notify all committee members of the decision. The committee would distribute a voting form to the membership in March 2007 to determine whether the association should continue with a revised name and objectives or be disbanded totally. A final decision will be based on the results of that vote.

The local papers are to be informed of the committee decision. Martin Maguire to be requested to post the decision on the CARE website.

The Hon Sec undertook to inform other interested parties on the current situation.

The meeting closed at 9 p.m

Report of 121 meeting between Nick Cumming (Erinaceous Group Business Development Manager) and Eric Williams (representing CARE) on Friday 21 st July 2006 at Shoreham Airport.

1. The vital piece of information to emerge from this meeting is that the Erinaceous Group has no immediate plans for extending or realigning the runway. Cost factors are the reason. The Civil Aviation Authority has advised the Group to “preserve the opportunity envelope”. This means that the door will remain open, on paper, for the Group to consider possible extension at some distant point in the future. The CAA wants to keep options open for all small airports nationally and advises all airport owners to cover themselves in the light of ever-developing air traffic requirements in Great Britain.

1. With the above, therefore, it precludes the use of larger jet aircraft at Shoreham.

1. There will be almost, without doubt, a manageable increase in small aircraft usage over the next few years.

1. Mr Cummings stated that the Erinaceous Group engages, principally, in all aspects of property services. It was not a property developer. He believes that the district auditor’s valuation of in excess of £21 million for the airport site was based on its total development for residential purposes, where much more money can be made, but the Group and the former owners wanted the airport to remain and prosper and the industrial and commercial side expand, with its concomitant increase in local employment opportunities.

The Erinaceous Group will manage the airport’s existing and new facilities more efficiently, although the existing management team under Mr Haffenden remains largely in place.

1. Obviously, the terminal building, as a Grade II listed structure, cannot be redeveloped, but the interior can be refurbished. As Phase I of the planned development, new buildings will be sited at the side of the existing terminal. This means the existing Archives structure (on the left when facing the terminal) will be replaced. Opposite, where there is a long-term car park and some sheds, will be subject to the same treatment.

This will bring, at ground floor, some retail associated with air transport and more and better catering facilities – and a new home within for the Historical/Archives sector.

Above this will come two or three floors of office space.

Above that is planned to have a ‘penthouse’ floor of residential accommodation.

The scheme architect is Thorpe Architecture.

1. Phase II will see, possibly, a Park & Ride scheme and more airport-associated redevelopment, e.g., replacing the old and dilapidated hangars that are a real eyesore and which provide mainly out-dated facilities. Erinaceous, says Cummings, cannot afford to fund the Park & Ride (to Brighton?) – “such a scheme is out of our league” – and, if feasible, the Group will be looking for public money to assist in funding if, at some future date, it is possible to go ahead.

Whilst Erinaceous Group, in one of its initial planning stages, studied the possibility of re-opening the railway station on the airport site, with the estimated costs and the lack of enthusiasm and support from the relevant rail authorities, this has now become a non-starter, although it would have relieved constant and growing pressure on the A27 and A259.

1. Phase III: the Group will be ‘studying opportunities’. It has nothing at all to do with the forthcoming golf course. The main thrust of development (and, therefore, a large part of its revenue stream) will come from new industrial and commercial enterprises. Whilst the Group hopes and expects that much of this expansion will come from air-related business activities, it has not ruled out the ‘non-aviation’ business.

1. On the question of air pollution, the Group believes that much of the environmental pollution (air quality and noise) comes from the A27 and the A259 and would welcome any evidence that CARE can supply to help in their researches.

1. There is a Consultative Committee in existence, with members from the Group, the various interested local authorities and bodies and some prominent business concerns. I have requested that CARE be considered for supplying a representative if a vacancy occurs or the committee is expanded.

1. At present, Cummings assures me, there is no plan of the proposed new footprint of the airport regeneration; neither has there been any concerted marketing effort out in the industry (the Group does not even have a leasing agency at the moment). I have been promised a copy of the outline plans and drawings when available. When the marketing thrust begins, we will be given sight of the same (hopefully!!).

DISCUSSION POINT

With the news that, for the foreseeable future, there will be no extension or realignment of the airport’s main runway, the main plank of CARE’s campaign has been satisfied.

Acting as the Devil’s advocate, should we consider winding up that part of our efforts which our very name personifies, yet keep a small committee in existence with the remit of maintaining a watch on air quality and noise pollution, plus staying abreast of any activities that might, possibly, force the Campaign Against Runway Expansion, back into play?

Eric Williams

May 2006

From the Shoreham Herald

8th May 2006 - Airport Sale Sealed
http://www.shorehamtoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=470&ArticleID=1489650ff

COMMUMITIES AGAINST RUNWAY EXPANSION

Minutes of meeting held April 8 2006 at Lancing Parish Hall

1. Attending: see list attached.

2. Apologies for absence: Received from D Tucker, M Goode, J Tilly, I Field, I Richmond and J Lovelock.

3. Secretary’s Report:

• Secretary reported that in the last year letters had been sent to both Worthing and Adur councils outlining, again, CARE’s stance on airport expansion; a coffee morning and a car boot sale had been organised in order to raise funds for the CARE campaign.
• The Adur Development Plan produced for residents of Adur by the council was now in its consultation stage. CARE members have been advised to obtain a copy of the new plan and try to ensure that the association and interested individuals were involved in relevant issues and what the association was undertaking in the matter of raising any objections.
• CARE has obtained a place on the new Community Involvement Project.
• The Secretary reported that a member company of the Erinaceous Group was undergoing investigation by the Fraud Squad. She understood that the proposed sale of the airport was being put on hold until resolution of this allegation. She believed that was the reason why there had been little or no publicity about the Group’s plans for purchasing the airport. She believed that the potential new owner was represented by a Mr Cummings of Fast Helicopters (an Erinaceous Group subsidiary).
• Brian Gill, CARE Council Contact Member, stated it was important that the association’s views were made known to the relevant councils and urged all members to send letters to their local council.

Itwas stated that thoselivinginand responsible for Southwick and Shoreham were completely unconcerned about Lancing matters. Members should be lobbying councillors – especially those seeking re-election on the forthcoming council elections. Adur Council was being bullied by Brighton, a position that was untenable and should be fought. Another member complained that local planning officials and officers were completely uncertain of which way to go.

vi. Graham Turner reported (confirmed by others) that, in his opinion, the extension and re-siting of the runway has already commenced; vide the mounds of moved earth that other signs of construction.

4. Treasurer’s Report:

• Temporary Treasurer Marion Covey reported cash in the bank at £33.52. It was necessary, therefore, that subscriptions be paid as soon as possible. The recent advertising campaign – i.e.,£53 for the notice of meeting and £100 for the advertisement under the banner “Shoreham Airport a High Price to Pay for Councils’ Debts – had had to be funded and room hire from Lancing Council had cost £27 (funded by a raffle). Stamps and printing (for notifying members of this meeting) had amounted to approx. £70.
• A member asked if the association newsletter could be distributed on line. Jean Kitchener said this had been tried , but only 12 members had elected to go on the e-mail list. Members were requested to give e-mail addresses before leaving the meeting.

• Election of Officers:
• Chair: Jay Cooper. The new Hon Secretary is Eric Williams. E-mail eric.williams73@atlworld,com. Treasurer: Vacancy still exists (offer to fill post welcome. Fund Raisers: Jean Kitchener, Marion Covey. Council Contact: Brian Gill.
• The outgoing Hon.Sec.(Jean Kitchener) apologised for the failure to take names of those voting and seconding for these committee posts. This will be rectified at the next members’ meeting.
• Brian Gill was elected as Co-ordinator for those elected to attend council meetings to collect information, e.g. whether council/council committee meeting dates had been changed at short notice.
• Those elected to the ‘Watch Pod’ were John Pierre Grimauld, Rob Beresford, Mr & Mrs Vallow, Moira Martin, R Rickard, Ms Bailey and Celia Behan, Anne Goacher was elected Co-ordinator.
• Hand Deliverers: Mr & Mrs Foss; Jenny Swift; Marion covery; Celia Behan; Jean Kitchener.

• 6. Any Other Business:
• It was reiterated by several members that objections should be sent in writing to local councillors – especially those from the Green Party, which was sympathetic to the CARE concerns. It was apparent that Adur Council was not fully aware of the strength of feeling in the community – principally on matters of pollution of the air, pollution by noise and further degeneration of the infrastructure.
• Members were reminded at Stansted had started out as a small airport, although the site of Shoreham Airport would not permit anything other than minimal actual footprint expansion.
• Members stated that the proposed siting of a new runway would prevent local leisure groups (e.g. hand-gliding and model aircraft clubs) and small aircraft from using air space around Shoreham Airport. Concern was expressed about the effect of the various forms of pollution mentioned on schoolchildren whose schools were under the proposed new flight path (three of them).
• Another member requested that action be put in hand to endeavour to revert to the name “Shoreham Airport”.
• Members were urged to keep a watch on all planning applications relevant to do with the extention and relocation of the airport runway/
• CARE will be contaction the new owners once their identity and ownership is known.
• It was asked whether Air Pollution Maps could be displayed on the CARE web site.
• The Civil Aviation Authority will be approached to inform them of the development proposals and whether they were in accordance with established lows and bye-laws and if they (the CAA) was aware of plans to make Shoreham a satellite of Gatwick and the implications of that, e.g., the transfer of all small aircraft flights to Redhill Airport/

April 2006

Latest news stories from the Brighton Argus

Secret meeting seals sale of airport (April 28th 2006)
http://archive.theargus.co.uk/2006/4/28/210271.html

Airport Sale Deal Delayed (April 6th 2006)
http://archive.theargus.co.uk/2006/4/6/209606.html

New airport firm hit by fraud claim (March 31st 2006)
http://archive.theargus.co.uk/2006/3/31/209432.html

From 'Rough Music' Magazine - April 2006

BOO-ING 24-7
SHOREHAM AIRPORT COMPANY IN THE DOCK

Grassroots campaigners in Lancing have found that the level of pollution from expanding Shoreham… sorry Brighton Shitty… Airport, is shooting up. Communities Against Runway Expansion (CARE) paid £700 out of their own pockets for six diffusion tubes (that measure levels of nitrogen dioxide) back in November 2005. CARE’s Jean Kitchener said: “The results we have just got are showing a rise in levels after just six months, we’ll get the full results this November, but it’s worrying.”

Their findings are backed up by a report in March showing Shoreham airport to be on the border of safe European Union limits for noxious gas, with the high levels of nitrogen dioxide a threat to asthma sufferers, and people with bronchitis and emphysema.

Meanwhile the new company behind the planned airport expansion, the Erinaceous Group are being ‘patted down’ by the Serious Fraud Office over an alleged £10m scam. Police raided the home of one of their valuers, who was nicked in connection to a property which had been valued at around £12m, only to be re-valued later closer to £2m. Easily done: “Hit the wrong button on me calculator m’lud”.

Set up in 1999, Erinaceous plans even bigger and better crimes against the environment with extra flights to Amsterdam, Paris and Edinburgh. Just what’s called for when car pollution will rise four fold in Shoreham as a result and with 800,000 extra people expected to use the airport by 2018 (5-10 times more than current use). And of course air pollution is the fastest growing contributor to global warming, with the richest 10% making the vast majority of flights, either business trips or weekend breaks to holiday homes.

Erinaceous are planning to extend the current runway or failing that build another – valued at £200bn , ahem… sorry finger’s on the wrong button that should read around £2m.

* For more info from CARE www.adurcare.wanadoo.co.uk

Text taken from the Rough Music website - page link here

Airport Noise pollution reports and predictions - link to Shoreham Airport site

Erinaceous linked to '£10m property fraud' click for report on The Business Times website

February 2006

Moyra Martin (Green Party) will be collecting signatures each Wednesday Morning at the Shoreham Community Centre market from 1st February 2006 onwards.

The new Shoreham Petition website (mentioned in the Shoreham Herald below) where you can sign today. Petition Them

Airport Pledge - a national website which campaigns against Airport expansions and is gathering signatures for petitions. Pledge against Airport Expansion

January 2006 - A front page article in the Shoreham Herald in which the Airport still maintains that expansion is the only answer.

A Shoreham resident's view on the airport expansion plan click

Rough Music Magazine's latest report click

C.A.R.E's video about the campaign click

An earlier Rough Music report (May2005) click

Minutes of a meeting from April 2005 click