BIGGIN HILL: Will airport's request to extend opening hours during Olympics take off? (From News Shopper)

Biggin Hill Airport Olympic Games proposals enter final week of consultation

7:20am Thursday 10th February 2011 in News

As the consultation about Biggin Hill Airport extending operating hours for the Olympic Games enters its final week, reporter DAVID MILLS examines the proposals.

WHAT ARE THE PROPOSALS?

Biggin Hill Airport has requested permission from its landlord Bromley Council to open from 6.30am to 11pm each day from July 13 to September 23 in 2012.

Its current opening hours are between 6.30am and 10pm in the week and from 9am to 8pm at weekends.

Under the proposals, there would be an estimated extra 668 flights during the Olympic peak 31 day period, which comes to an additional 21 flights per day on top of the current average of 32.

The airport also wants a relaxation of the ban on fare-paying passengers but will charge a £3 passenger tax payable to the council.

FROM TROJAN HORSE TO TERRORISM

Opponents to the proposals fear a temporary change to the opening hours could become permanent.

A London Borough of Bromley Residents’ Federation survey found that 22 of the 38 associations across the borough have voted against the changes.

Seven groups supported the plans while the rest are yet to respond.

Environment group Bromley Friends of the Earth is also against the plans citing fears of an increase in noise, road traffic, pollution and danger of aircraft accidents.

John Davison, of Farnborough Park, Orpington, said: “This is clearly a Trojan horse exercise because the only way that the cost and capital expenditure for adapting existing facilities to accommodate the significant increase in both traffic and passengers can be recouped is to continue the exercise well into the future and, almost certainly, with a gradual but inexorable increase in both flying and passengers.”

Trevor Barham, aged 53, of Amherst Drive, Orpington, said: “As Britain will be on the highest security footing during this period, consider a terrorist rocket fired at close range to a landing aircraft at night over Petts Wood and the resultant deaths that would occur.

“I trust the disasters and emergency committee of Bromley Council already have plans in place for such an event.”

‘THIS IS THE OLYMPICS - WHY SHOULDN’T WE BENEFIT?’

The Biggin Hill & District Residents’ Association backs the airport’s proposals.

Chairman David Haslam said: “A survey of the people of Biggin Hill showed something like 80 per cent of the population accepted the airport and want to see it successful so long as it doesn’t impinge on their environment.

“How often does this country get the Olympics? We’re all paying for the building of the Olympic park. Doesn’t it make sense that where we can take advantage of business opportunities that we should be doing so, especially on behalf of rate payers in this borough? Why shouldn’t we benefit?”

‘IMPORTANT WE BACK OLYMPIC EFFORT’

Orpington MP Jo Johnson is concerned about creating a precedent if the airport’s proposals are approved.

While supportive of getting behind the Olympic effort, Mr Johnson said it was paramount those living under the flight path were given “the greatest weight” in any decision.

Mr Johnson said: “It's important everybody swings behind the Olympic effort. It's a national event, we all have a contribution to make.

“However I am extremely concerned at the possibility that we accidentally in support of the Olympics set a precedent that considerably changes the nature of the airport to the detriment of very large residential communities who could suffer as a result.”

HOW TO RESPOND TO CONSULTATION

The consultation period closes at 5pm on February 18.

Email comments to airport.consultation@bromley.gov.uk or write to Bromley Council’s Renewal and Recreation Department, Airport Consultation, Bromley Civic Centre, Stockwell Close, Bromley BR1 3UH.

The council has not yet set a date for its decision.