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'We will fight this ignorant expansion
plan'
[editor's title] Brent Green Party is as one with the residents and campaigners opposed to the creation of a third runway at Heathrow, reported in 'Runway noise hell is ready to take off' (Observer, 6 Dec) and your star letter 'More aircraft, more noise and pollution' (24 Jan). Unfortunately, the department for Transport's consultation document gives all the appearance of a fait accompli; which literally means, "an action which is completed before those affected by it are in a position to query or reverse it". Firstly, the Government makes explicit its "support for further development" on grounds of the economy (stupid) whilst maintaining that environmental impacts will be minimised. This makes it quite stupid (what else?) that short-term economic gain is once again being put ahead of long-term climate change and the immediate loss of Sipson village and local biodiversity. Secondly, the environmental targets set by this plan look disingenuous at best. The noise condition says, "no increase in the size of the area significantly affected". But this is quite consistent with both increased noise in the pre-existing area and an increased area outside of it being affected, just not necessarily according to a government-appropriated EU standard of what counts as significant. The Environment committee at City Hall, chaired by the Green Party, has undertaken its own consultation and will report shortly. Brent Greens will also continue to campaign, voluminously, against this ignorant expansion plan. There could be nothing more ignorant than purporting to acknowledge the threat from climate change, whilst doing everything in one's power to bring that threat forward. Not even a plane would allow us to escape from a land mass below sea level. Shahrar Ali Brent and Harrow constituency Candidate for the London Assembly Brent Green Party PO Box 54785 London NW9 1FL |
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