Gatwick

“Rusper Parish sits immediately to the Western edge of Gatwick Airport and is thus directly impacted by aircraft landing and taking-off over the Parish.  We have a seat on the statutory body set up known as GATCOM – Gatwick Airport Consultative Committee – which liaises with Gatwick management and enables us to both be fully and regularly briefed and to make representations to them.  Our representative are  Cllr Malcolm Fillmore and Cllr Fenella Maitland-Smith.

GATCOM meets formally every quarter but there are regular documents circulated – particularly in respect of the number of consultation exercises presently underway – such as the proposed conversion of the emergency runway to the full-time Northern Runway; the review of night movements and their impact; proposed changes to flight paths etc.

The Parish Council recognises that there are both negative and positive aspects to having Gatwick on its doorstep.  Negative is the impact of noise and pollution, and particularly overhead night movements.  We also suffer from our roads being used as ‘rat-runs’ and from the use of land for unlawful Gatwick parking.  On the other hand, many of our residents or their families benefit from direct or indirect employment opportunities as well as the convenience of the airport for overseas travel.

Cllr Fillmore personally compiles a monthly Report detailing the airline movements at Gatwick and in particular a detailed analysis of Night Period Movements so that a fuller understanding can be gained as to what is actually happening at Gatwick and current trends.  These Reports, which are also circulated to other community groups, are available to view on the website as well as relevant reports briefings and consultation documents.

We welcome feedback from parishioners so that we can properly represent your thoughts on the various consultations and at GATCOM and its subsidiary committees.”