Village height makes noise more worrying

I write on behalf of Fairlight Parish Council to express our concern about the proposed expansion of Lydd Airport.

Fairlight is some 21km (13 miles) from Lydd Airport. Little Cheyne Wind Farm, near Lydd, is clearly visible from high points in Fairlight.

We have seen maps of proposed flight paths which indicate routes both to the north and south of Fairlight. The route to the north passes over Icklesham, only 4 km (2.8 miles) from Fairlight. The southerly route is a similar distance from Fairlight, over the sea. The possibility of aircraft noise in our very tranquil village concerns us greatly.

While I am aware that aeroplanes should have gained height at this distance from Lydd, I wish to emphasise that Fairlight is not at sea level. In fact the highest point, Battery Hill, is 162 metres (531 feet) above sea level, bringing us closer to low-flying aircraft to and from Lydd, which is at sea level.

Although the airport’s plans have been in the public eye for a long time, I am aware that there has been no formal consultation or information process with Fairlight Parish Council. This is to be regretted, for we now find ourselves, at a very late stage, uncertain and fearful of the effects of the proposal on us.

It was an unpleasant surprise when Little Cheyne Wind Farm was so clearly visible.

We do not want to be unpleasantly surprised again.

R. C. Tice,

Clerk to Fairlight Parish Council