Chocks Go Away reports theft of its protest signs. Read the story online or in 30th June - 6th July East Kent Mercury.

Hello Ikenna, Thanks for your comment; hopefully this will help you. “Recreational aircraft operate with a lot of limitations so noise pollution will be minimal compared to regular airports.” We currently have no airports in the proposed field, regular or otherwise, so the comparison cannot be made. What we do have are a variety of birds and wildlife; all of which are considerably quieter than an aircraft and produce no pollution. ‘…the air field is proposed to cater for electric aircraft which will further reduce amount of emissions produced by air traffic.’ Electric aviation is in its infancy. This proposal is for 20 conventional light aircraft with piston engines. There are just 3 electric fixed wing light aircraft registered in the UK compared with thousands with combustion engines. ‘The environmental impact of a recreational airfield is minuscule at best.’ We, and a significant number of organisations who have formally objected and submitted detailed reports on the matter, disagree. The noise will be harmful to wildlife. The grass runway will be mown and of little green value. The CAA routinely provides detailed guidance to airfields to help them discourage and minimise features attractive to birds and other wildlife which might interfere with or cause danger to aircraft users. The noise will impact the wildlife-rich woodland, scrub, grassland and hedgerows at Manor Farm on the southwest end of the runway. To the northeast is a large area of meadows, scrub, copse, hedgerows and paddocks providing a locally important relief habitat for wildlife, spared the impacts of intensive farming; this enclave will be directly impacted with landing and takeoffs. ‘Local businesses will benefit from visitors to the airfield.’ We have repeatedly asked the applicants to substantiate this claim but are yet to receive an answer. The developer states that the glamping pods are “principally for use by the aircraft owners” who already live locally. No jobs will arise other than perhaps some part time cleaning. The economic case is remarkably weak considering the scale of the harms. Occasional overnight stays by visiting pilots will make no meaningful local contribution when considered against the booming sustainable tourism the area offers. ‘So what exactly is the apocalyptic effect that the airfield will supposedly have on your little village?’ We recommend that you visit the DDC Application website and review the 970+ informed and heartfelt comments submitted by local objectors, all of whom care deeply about safeguarding the long-term future of their environment, and little villages.

Why?

Hello Martin, as has already been pointed out, you can already join your friends, whenever you choose.

His back yard is the living room for many hundreds of people. But thanks for your interest.

Is he changing it?

See above.

You should object then.

No. However should he be progressive enough to change it to a wildlife haven, I would. But thanks for asking.

Many thanks, Tony. Much appreciated by all.

@Keith Jones Could you explain how an aircraft would avoid flying over houses, given that the positioning of the airstrip would require planes to fly over houses?

Hello @nespor and thank you for your comment. I think it is because the residents, businesses and all those who are concerned for the future of our environment have considered the options, including the 'diversity' that you refer to, that there has been this ground swell of opposition. The reality simply doesn't match the claims made by the applicants. We would also perhaps like to add that playgrounds and libraries are not generally regarded as minority interests.

Yes. But the likelihood that the applicants behind this application will ever be wealthy enough to afford one is remote.

Who needs application approval when you can just go ahead and bulldoze?

It is terrifyingly close the situation Arthur Dent was presented with in the opening chapter of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. “But the plans were on display…” “On display? I eventually had to go down to the cellar to find them.” “That’s the display department.” “With a flashlight.” “Ah, well, the lights had probably gone.” “So had the stairs.” “But look, you found the notice, didn’t you?” “Yes,” said Arthur, “yes I did. It was on display in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying ‘Beware of the Leopard.”

Yes. It is pure fantasy.

Extremely helpful in helping us unpick the fantasy claims that the applicants are making. This is obviously the reality. Thank you so much for sharing.

I expect the digger is electric too.

It is difficult. Especially when you know how unnecessary it is. All this wilful destruction of wildlife and habit; for what?

And this from a self proclaimed eco-warrior. Shameful.