Dear Lucy, Thank you for contacting me regarding the planning application for an Airstrip and associated buildings between Willow Woods Road, Little Mongeham and Mill Lane/Coulson Grove, Northbourne. I have received a number of emails from residents raising concerns that the beautiful villages of Little Mongeham and Northbourne will be blighted if there are a large number of flights planned each year. I have spoken to the Dover District Councillors whose areas are affected by this proposal. I know that the councillors are taking an active interest in these proposals and will be keeping me informed. I have asked them to notify me of any meeting arranged with Parish Councillors and residents as this situation develops. Planning decisions are a matter for Dover District Council and for councillors. However, given the level of concern and the unusual nature of the application, I have been in touch with the council about the process which will apply. I have received confirmation from DDC that this application will, in the first instance, proceed as a normal planning application and that the Civil Aviation Authority will be consulted. DDC will look at whether it requires an Environmental Statement as well. I will be writing to the Civil Aviation Authority for detailed information about the regulations relating to noise, safety and environmental protections for airstrips, such as the one being proposed. The planning application should shortly be published online. I encourage you to submit your concerns on DDC’s planning portal so that they are formally recorded and may be taken into account when reaching a final decision. Please do also let your councillors know of your concerns and any submissions that you make. Their details are: Guston, Kingsdown and St Margaret's-at-Cliffe ward (including Little Mongeham): Cllr Oliver Richardson cllr-oliver.richardson@dover.gov.uk and Cllr Martin Bates cllr-martin.bates@dover.gov.uk Eastry Rural ward (including Northbourne): Cllr Stephen Manion cllr-stephen.manion@dover.gov.uk and Cllr Nicholas Kenton cllr-nicholas.kenton@dover.gov.uk Thank you for contacting me about this matter. Best regards, Natalie Office of Natalie Elphicke Member of Parliament for Dover & Deal House of Commons London SW1A 0AA Tel: 0207 219 7052 @natalieelphicke www.natalieelphicke.com