Edited letters to the editor of the East Anglian Daily Times
FOR (14) AGAINST (21)
Support Not From Locals
Most of your readers who support this development will
not live under the flight path of the aircraft, live within a
few yards of the noise and danger from heavy traffic, or breath
the fumes from the passing cars. If Stonham had a redundant
air base up for sale, would T Cross be so keen to share with Suffolk's
people the opportunity for jobs, economic growth and more accessible
flights? I think not!
Sharon Miller, Melton
Jobs Not Definite
The case for re-using Bentwaters for a civilian airport
is flawed, so it should be the subject of a public inquiry.
I do not believe it will benefit "thousands of people"
and the likely loss of jobs in and associated with tourism is
likely to outweigh any gains.
P Cooke, Chairman Iken Parish Council, Iken
Obvious Place for an Airport
Let nobody be fooled by the number of letters you have
published that are against the proposed AIA development at Bentwaters.
Such a bold and imaginative scheme was bound to raise the hackles
of Luddites, NIMBYs and the more hardline sections of the environmental
lobby. Basically the proposal is to replace an air base
with ... er ... an airport! Most objections are unconvincing.
Civil aircraft are no noisier or dirtier than military ones; the
air base is and has been since 1944, only peripheral to the AONB.
Flying is the growth mode of transport of the next Millennium,
due to public demand. Why should not Suffolk and its people
share in this opportunity for jobs, economic growth and more accessible
flights? Otherwise all these things will surely go to Stansted,
Cambridge and Norwich instead.
T Cross, Stonham
Insufferable Noise
Military jets are loud but are
gone quickly. Commercial airlines are noisy for longer.
Older jets used for freight are usually much noisier and
slower, and often fly at night. There is a risk that SCDC
will approve the plan and condemn many thousands of residents
to insufferable noise, traffic and air pollution.
Chris Allen, Martlesham - 6 July
Noise, Roads, Tourism Loss
I live in the village of Eyke and I make my living as
a pilot. It would seem unsound to build an airport in a
rural area and expect a city to grow up around it. Airports
provide jobs but many will be recruited from non-local airports.
with Stansted and Norwich both still under capacity, why
open more? Training aircraft practise take of and landing,
so the airport area would have fairly constant noise. A
new trunk road and rail link will be inevitable. The disadvantages
are constant noise, crowded roads, and loss of tourism.
D Regan, Eyke - 6 July
Vital Jobs
I worked at Bentwaters in the 50s and 60s. It was
clean, tidy and did have outstanding natural beauty only a short
walk from the base. If this going to give employment to
local people then go for it.
Val Smy, Woodbridge - 6 July
Hatred of Aviation
It is perfectly correct that people who genuinely oppose
an airport should have the right to do so. But the consistent
use of inaccuracies only reveals a hatred of all things aviation.
Andrew Taylor, Colchester - 6 July
Don't Waste Resource
We would like to support the use of Bentwaters as a commercial
airport, and encourage all like-minded people to voice their support
as well. It would be unwise not to utilise such a resource, which
will benefit thousands of people and businesses in Suffolk.
Felixstowe port is sensitively managed to the benefit of the community.
It is increasingly important that other non-agricultural businesses
provide a diversity of employment. Opening the airport
would attract considerable additional investment and employment.
William Catchpole, KDM International plc, Kesgrave - 30
June
Use Stansted & Norwich
The planning application is open for public inspection
at the SCDC council offices in Woodbridge. 80,000 aircraft
movements, 250,000 passengers. Be alert to the devastating
effect it will have on the tranquility of this beautiful part
of England. The SCDC plan First Alteration makes provision
for a civil airport at Bentwaters, but it is to be the subject
of a public inquiry to be held on November 10. The applicants
have pre-empted this by submitting a detailed planning application.
The public wishing to object should have deposited it with the
SCDC Planning & Leisure Department, Melton Hill, Woodbridge,
IP12 1AU, by 17 July 1998. There will be no point complaining
afterwards. I consider that the envisaged activities could
be catered for at Stansted and Norwich, and Bentwaters developed
for non-aviation use.
C P Tomlinson, Woodbridge - 26 June
Insufficient Links
Noise and pollution from an aircraft movement every five
minutes. The peace of Rendlesham and Tunstall Forest, Iken
Cliff, Sutton Heath, Woodbridge and Kyson Point, will be shattered.
Successful airports need a good rail and road link. Bentwaters
is served by narrow minor routes. Please keep our region
as it is - one of the few places in the south of England where
visitors can come for peace and relaxation.
David L Smith, Snape - 26 June
Good Opportunity
Where there is so much opposition to dig up our countryside,
failure to maximise use of Bentwaters would mean missing a great
opportunity to use available resources in Suffolk. Those
with a nimby attitude should realise that it's already in their
back yard, and has been for a long time. Flight figures
that match Heathrow are unlikely. I don't think we should
let Bentwaters rot away, for the sake of keeping this end of Suffolk
as dead as it became when the Americans left.
John Benton, Shotley - 26 June
No Comparison
The correspondent who says that the sound of light aircraft
is no more discomfort than that of a lawnmower on Sunday, is himself
not living in the real world. Manifestly he has not digested
AIA's proposals. A Boeing 737 makes more noise than a mower.
Even if it didn't, would Mr Taylor be pleased if his neighbours
were to cut their grass 40,000 times a year? It is noticeable
that Mr Taylor lives safely in Colchester.
Donald Arthur, Melton - 26 June
Curtail Air Travel
The government urges the population to give up using cars
and adopt environmentally beneficial methods of transport, while
supporting the growth of air travel! A large jet burns a
ton of fuel to get off the ground. Recently, an aircraft
jettisoned 14,000 gallons of fuel. Air transport is responsible
for 35% of all pollution due to fuel consumption. It is
time to consider the contraction rather than the expansion of
air travel.
J J Randall, Leavenheath - 26 June
Air Intrusion
Kettleburgh area is subject to intrusive helicopter training
flights. When I asked why, I was told that because East
Anglia has so many sensitive nature sites it was increasingly
difficult to find training air space without undue disturbance
to wildlife. How can it be deemed feasible for civil aviation
when it is not for the armed forces? Mr Taylor may find the sound of light aircraft pleasant, the people of Crowfield
will probably say otherwise.
Heather M Tanner (Mrs) Kettleburgh - 26 June
Over The Top
Recent letters reveal a degree of misunderstanding of
the proposed Airpark.
1. The condemned closure of Ipswich Airport shows a case for commercial
aviation in Suffolk.
2. It would be absurd to destroy Bentwaters and build a replacement
elsewhere.
3. Without an airport, house building would lead to the sprawling
urbanisation of the Woodbridge area.
4. My enjoyment of the area was not affected by the USAF at Bentwaters,
nor does Norwich airport destroy the charm of north Norfolk.
5. A public inquiry would drag on for at least another year.
6. Suffolk has potential for healthy development.
Let us be reasonable, and consider this in a serious and informed
manner.
P F B Clarke, Little Glemham - 26 June
Too Little Too Late
A number of issues remain unaddressed:
Tourism: - The local tourism industry provides many jobs.
No tourism, no jobs
Air Traffic Pollution: noise and fuel-dumping.
Short termism: too many decision have been taken for short term
advantage without due consideration to the long term effect (e.g.
out of town supermarkets.)
David Harris, Kettleburgh - 24 June
Antis not in Real World
People who oppose this scheme are not living in the real
world. Have they considered the alternatives to returning the
base to the use for which it was built? The concerns about
wildlife do not hold water. Most airports have an abundance of
flora and fauna within and around their perimeters. I was
born and raised on a farm in Suffolk and never once was the enjoyment
of my surroundings spoiled by the sound or sight of aircraft overhead.
Rather, enhanced. The sound induces no more discomfort
than garden lawnmowers on a Sunday.
Andrew M Taylor, Colchester
Area's beauty Status at Risk
I object most strongly to Yann Borgstedt of AIA saying
the EADT has not given a fair assessment of the Bentwaters controversy.
EADT has presented facts as supplied by AIA. The SCDC Local
Plan allows flying only between 07:00 and 20:00 Monday-Friday,
07:00-13:00 Saturday and none on Sunday. SCDC must be made
aware of the strong feeling among local residents from Ipswich
to Aldeburgh who pin their hopes on this airport plan being totally
rejected.
P Garnham, Aldeburgh - 24 June
Preserving Vibrant Communities
Fears of future demands for dual carriageway links to
the A12 and associated ribbon development are understandable only
if they are based on wildly exaggerated and misleading reports
that we have seen recently.
250,000 passenger movements after 10 years is less than 5% of
Birmingham's 5,323,000 in 1996.
7,000 transport movements is only 10% or so of the total for Birmingham.
The plans are conservative and manageable and will not inflict
destruction to the environment.
An information room is open to the public on Tuesdays, Wednesdays
and Thursdays from 4-7pm, in the inquiries office beside the A1152
at the base
John Cousens, AIA, Rendlesham, Woodbridge - 24 June
Flying is for the Birds
I don't think there should be an airport built at Bentwaters
because it will scare all the birds and animals away. there
are enough airports in Britain anyway. It's meant to be
a place to have a quiet time. I go biking and bird watching there
with my family, but I don't think we'll go to an airport for our
summer weekends. It's one of the best places on earth to
me and I think children should write and say what they feel about
it.
Tom Hobson, Aged 10, Rendham - 20 June
Loss of Unique Area
This is not the area for a huge development as is planned
at Bentwaters. Surely other redundant airfields in the country
have better road and rail links and would be much more suitable.
If this development goes ahead with new road building, noise and
pollution then this unique area of rural East Suffolk will be
lost for ever.
V Richards, Sutton, Woodbridge - 20 June
Airport will Stay Small
It is our duty as the airport operating company to inform
people about the developments that are taking place at AIA.
Thus I would like to clarify a number of erroneous points mentioned
in your articles. "The new airport will be bigger than
Birmingham Airport" - Birmingham carried 5.3 million passengers
in 1995. We expect 250,000 after 10 years. "There will
be far more planes during holiday charter season." - The
charter operation will add an extra five flights per week.
AIA will be and remain a small regional airport that will serve
its local market. The environmental impacts have been carefully
studied and proper mitigation measures will be installed so that
our beautiful area remains that way. The project will attract
investment companies and above all create good and stable jobs
for local people.
Yann Borgstedt, Airport Project Manager - 20 June
Priceless Peace could Go Forever
If this was a deprived area with high unemployment we
would welcome AIA with open arms. But we are not.
An airpark would provide unskilled work in the short term, less
in the long term. Specialist and skilled jobs would be nationally
or internationally advertised. The quarter of a million
passengers will be passing through - not spending money in our
area. Noise levels will destroy the tranquillity of this
beautiful area and damage our important tourist industry.
The plans airpark proposals must, I believe, be the subject of
a public inquiry.
Caroline Harvey, Old Barrack Road, Woodbridge - 20
June
Airport is Against Strategic Plan
I really do wonder at the point of strategic planning
in Suffolk - Ipswich airport with its position near roads and
other links, plus thousands of potential workers close by, is
closed. This is followed by a plan to build a new airport
in an AONB. Bentwaters was built where it is for military
reasons. I can think of many more places that would have
a justifiable claim for investment in employment and job creation.
By all means come up with schemes to make best use of the redundant
base, but keep it manageable and avoid disruption and destruction
to the environment. After planning for an airport, there
will be an inevitable demand for a dual carriageway to link the
airport to the A12, across the upper Deben valley. What
price a county structure plan, then?
N Santy, The Common, Metfield, Harleston - 19 June
Will Villagers Benefit?
What about the views of the nearest neighbours?
Much of the former airfield lies in the parish of Wantisden and
the nearest village is Butley. The population of both parishes
is small but the views of these parishioners if of paramount importance.
Most villagers have lived in the area for years, and in the past
have put up with military vehicles rumbling through the village
in the middle of the night. What price the peace dividend
if withdrawal of the troops is replaced by planes every few minutes?
Viv Mason, SCDC Councillor for Butley, Wantisden & Hollesley
- 18 June
Flight Figures Frightening
There are many unanswered questions. The forecast
of an 18 hour/day operation would lead to aircraft landing or
taking off every five minutes, if flying was constant from 06:00
to 24:00. If there would be LESS night flying, it is likely
to be nearer every three minutes. Deciding to build Sizewell
in an AONB was bizarre, but after Sizewell was built, it hasn't
impacted on our daily lives as an airport would. Yet before
building Sizewell, there was a full and searching public inquiry.
Surely the Bentwaters proposal should be similarly tested?
John Waddell, Snape - 18 June
Airport will Ruin Suffolk's Character
The proposed airport at Bentwaters may eventually fail
commercially but no longer should we assume failure and do nothing.
If it does go ahead this airport will destroy the character of
Suffolk for ever an damage the quality of life for the vast majority
of local people. There are far better alternatives for job
creation. People who understand Suffolk should fight this
proposal. Bentwaters must be stopped now. The negative
impact is obvious. Noise, more traffic, followed by more road-building,
and more noise. Air quality will decline. Do the benefits
justify this wholesale destruction of what is so wonderful about
Suffolk? Clearly not. The stated business benefits
are weak and could never justify the harm to local people.
Tourists from outside our region would arrive in noisy coaches
and cars, park at the airport, buy some duty free booze and fly
off in a noise plane - hardly a penny will be spent in local Suffolk
shops, restaurants and pubs. The owners of Bentwaters are
not investing to create jobs, they are doing it to make money.
Suffolk is not a depressed area and has no reason to give
in to emotional blackmail and accept jobs at any price.
John Cole, Sutton Hoo - 18 June
Airport Blight
The developers have at last launched their proposals for
its future, attempting to present their plans as benign.
But by the 10th year 80,000 air movements and 250,000 passengers
per year are forecast. There are many disadvantages resulting
from proposals of this scale. These proposals are largely
in addition to the 30,000 square metres of buildings which already
have planning permission. Bentwaters lies in an area of tranquillity
and natural beauty and is designated as an AONB. These are
some of East Suffolk's chief assets, unquantified in cash terms
yet extremely valuable to all who live hereabouts and the many
visitors to the area.
Only over-riding national interests should warrant intrusions on the scale proposed for Bentwaters, into such a special location - its remoteness contributing to its effectiveness. It was an over-riding national interest which justified the construction of Bentwaters but no such over-riding national interest can be claimed for the present proposals - its remoteness is a considerable disadvantage to a commercial operation. There are only two future scenarios for a civil airport proposed for Bentwaters. First, that it will fail because of it its isolation and the Bentwaters 'problem' will remain. Second, that it will expand to become even larger than now envisaged. This detrimental increase would be uncontrollable by the planning system.
It is clear that the developers have no concern
for the permanent adverse effects of their proposals on the area,
its skies and its people. If SCDC councillors consider that
the proposal is beyond their remit (which could be understandable
because of the county, regional, air transport and national aspects),
an option would be to ask for the application to be 'called in'
for decision by the Department of the Environment. At the
very least, a public inquiry should be held.
M C Evelegh, Woodbridge Town and County Councillor, Seckford Street,
Woodbridge - 15 June
Bentwaters: Alarm!
Clarity is required in the Bentwaters debate. The
simple issue is whether the promised gains to the local economy
outweigh the environmental costs. In short, whether quality
of life is such a simple function of local economic activity.
A public inquiry examined the County Structure Plan and concluded
that "...the scale of development should not create a need
for a new link road to the A12. This would compromise policies
of countryside restraint to an unacceptable degree."
The report accepted in principle a "low-key" aviation
facility. BIL's plan does not include flight paths but it
is apparently that the proposed airport is decidedly not low-key.
Unquestionably an enterprise of the proposed size
could not function with the existing roads. That can only
mean more growth and more road-building. The key is the
link road: without it the airport cannot leave the ground;
with it, the area cannot be protected from creeping urbanisation,
noise and traffic. BIL relies in part on the apathy of
east Suffolk residents. Only a letter or phone call to your local
councillor or the Chairman of the Environment Committee can prove
them wrong.
Peter Padfield, Woodbridge - 13 June
Airpark Obviously Advantageous
Mr Borgstedt has never "made it quite clear ... that
AIA will become a major international and freight airport."
Airports are demand-led and the demand for AIA has been
researched carefully to produce the traffic demand projections
on which its plans are based, which are set out clearly in the
planning application. They show that we see the airport
developing over 10 years or so, into a sub-regional airport with
traffic to match - about 250,000 passenger movements a year.
These passengers will be carried on 7,000 air transport movements,
which means 3,500 visits by passenger aircraft - 3,250 small turbo-props
and 250 medium-sized jets.
We expect a small number of cargo flights to develop over time,
with about 380 movements per year by cargo aircraft of all sizes
- after 10 years. We also see the development of a maintenance
industry, serving initially fairly small aircraft, and larger
aircraft as time goes on and the companies develop and grow.
They will use facilities the site has already, and can generate
solid, high-value, skilled and long-term employment for at least
500 people. AIA is ideal in terms of facilities and location
for this kind of development.
Jon Cousens, Anglia International Airpark - 9 June
Airpark is a Must
A friend in Ipswich sends me cuttings from the EADT about
Bentwaters, which interests me because I have a home in Bromeswell.
My son flies air taxis and to take someone to Ipswich he
had to land at Cambridge, as the nearest airport! Anglia
International Airpark ... yes please.
R Kerry Williams, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria - 8 June
Short Memories
It is regrettable that various correspondents persist
in using emotive language and misinformation. For example,
Bentwaters does not possess the longest runway in Europe - it
is a standard NATO airfield. Would objectors please recall
the level of operations which were sustained when the 81st TFW
was at its peak. In 1985 it was in excess of 29,000 soldiers,
even if we halve this because of four forward bases. As
I cannot see Bentwaters ever seeing that level of activity again,
what on earth is all the fuss about? If all the proposed
development was on a new greenfield site, the fuss would be understandable.
Sadly, memories are short, as to what we all lived with in reasonably
good order until 1993.
Geoffrey Pleasance, Ipswich - 8 June
Development will Regenerate Economy
Your [EADT] article did strike the right balance. This area
needs a development of this nature to regenerate the economy and
let us hope that there is not too much delay by the local authority
planners in clearing this project. I appreciate that the
resumption of flying operations will cause a certain amount of
noise, but not everybody in the area is retired and the area needs
employment. This will put money into local pockets which
hopefully will be spent in the local shops.
C W Cocker, Woodbridge - 5 June
Bentwaters still good
There is nothing radically wrong with the former Bentwaters
airbase. In the 40 years after the war, NATO/MoD spent millions
replacing and refurbishing the buildings - with the exception
of the officers mess and Hangar No.2. All dangerous asbestos
was removed in the 80s and the A1152 was upgraded in the 90s.
Bentwaters provided employment for many of us from 1943, so let's
go for it. Creating jobs would put all those new buildings
to good use.
Norman Rose, Martlesham - 2 June
Aeronautical Backwater
Whatever has happened to the much publicised Anglia International
Airpark due to be opened this year at Bentwaters? Last
November the owners informed us that flying would begin in May
or June. SCDC tell me that no planning application has
been received, which means that an awful lot has to be done in
the next few weeks to get scheduled services operating.
So many environmental groups are against the scheme, because of
the inevitable disturbance to the Suffolk countryside, that it
may never get approval.
Just imagine the beauty spot of Iken cliff ruined by aircraft
noise again after a few pleasant years without the scream of American
jets. Suffolk is as dead as a dodo as far as aviation is
concerned and we have said goodbye to that wonderful grass airport
at Ipswich. Suffolk, with its head-in-the-sand outlook
on aviation, will be regarded in many circles as an aeronautical
backwater.
D Johnson, Bond's Meadow, Lowestoft - 13 April