Residents of Surrey and Hampshire are coming together to voice their opposition against the proposed expansion of Farnborough Airport. They believe that the expansion will cause significant harm to hundreds of thousands of residents in the borough and surrounding areas, while only benefiting a small group of private jet users.
The airport has submitted plans to increase weekend and Bank holiday flights from 8,900 to 13,500, most of which are luxury leisure trips for the ultra-wealthy. These flights operate at low altitudes below 3,000 feet and often deviate from the designated flightpath. This has caused constant noise and disruption for residents, especially during weekends when families should be able to enjoy their outdoor spaces.
Many residents reject the idea that they chose to live near an airport, as before 2003, flights were infrequent and operating hours were shorter. In 2020, new narrow flightpaths were introduced without proper consultation, subjecting communities up to 15 miles away to significant increases in noise. Furthermore, 30,000 new homes are planned under these flightpaths, which will only increase the number of families facing disruption.
The airport claims that it creates jobs and boosts the local economy, but residents argue that the reality is very different. Only 190 employees work at Farnborough Airport, and of the 70 businesses on the airport business park, only a few are connected to private aviation. The thriving M3/M4 corridor is a result of good transport links and established tech industries, not because billionaires fly to their yachts and ski chalets.
The constant noise and pollution from flights have also reduced the value of homes in the region, resulting in billions of pounds in losses that are not accounted for in the airport’s business case. Residents believe that the land could be used more sustainably and profitably, such as a solar farm that could generate significant council income while supplying nearly half of Rushmoor’s green energy needs.
Farnborough Airport has a debt of £700 million and pays £50 million a year in interest and dividends to its Australian owners, Macquarie. This reduces its UK corporation tax, and with a sharp decline in business travel since 2019, weekend leisure flights only export wealth instead of contributing to the UK economy. While citizens pay tax on their cars’ fuel and energy to heat their homes, aircraft jet fuel remains untaxed.
The Environment Agency has also identified dangerous “forever chemicals” in nearby waterways associated with airport fire-fighting foam. Additionally, aircraft pollution contains ultrafine particles capable of entering the bloodstream and damaging organs. The constant noise also affects children’s learning, damages wellbeing, and erodes quality of life. Pollution also impacts nearby Sites of Specific Scientific Interest, leading to habitat destruction, a loss of biodiversity, and an increased risk of wildfires.
A representative from the Farnborough Noise Group stated, “Residents are devastated; their homes, public open spaces, health, and future deserve protection, but there has been no reasonable consultation. Rushmoor Borough Council has not adequately consulted with the public or other impacted councils, as required by the Localism Act. Residents must respond to the planning application by visiting the Rushmoor Borough Council website, rushmoor.gov.uk, before 30th December.”
The Farnborough Noise Group is hosting public Zoom meetings on Wednesday, 10th December, in the absence of meaningful consultation by Rushmoor Council. Details can be found on the Farnborough Noise Group’s website.
Residents are urged to say NO to Farnborough Airport’s expansion and join the campaign against it. The hashtags #NoAirportExpansion, #StopAirportExpansion, #AircraftNoise, #AviationPollution, #AviationEmissions, #UKAviation, #FlightPath, #FarnboroughAirport, #GreenSurrey, #HampshireClimate, and #SouthEastUK are being used to spread awareness about the issue.
Farnborough Noise Group is a campaign that aims to raise awareness of the negative impacts of Farnborough Airport’s operations on the public in 110 parish, borough, and county councils and nine regional MPs. For further information, visit www.farnboroughnoise.org or email farnboroughnoise@gmail.com.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.