Council handling of Biggin Hill Airport Ltd (BHAL) application

Council handling of BHAL application - you may wish to complain to Mr Doug Patterson, CEO, London Borough of Bromley, under whose supervision, the council has responded.

'I have received angry reaction from many Downe residents who are very concerned about the way in which Bromley Council (a) handled the public consultation in relation to the application for extended operating hours by BHAL and (b) prepared for and conducted the full council meeting on 25 March at the Civic Centre.

To complain, please see the details at the end*.

The points raised by Downe residents include:

-Why certain councillors, who were involved in preparing the proposal, felt justified in overturning the tacit terms of the agreement. What compelling reason was there to agree to the extension of hours when at the time of the Olympic Games there was a refusal for an extension- even for a limited time. Who are these councillors?

- the way the Council conducted the consultation (starting on 16 January) which influenced their decision to vote for extended hours. Many Downe residents did not receive the letter from the council inviting them to take part in the consultation. Why was that?

- the Council decision reached on 25 March was based on incomplete and unsound information

- that the Council has acted unfairly towards affected residents but has shown favour to BHAL

- that the Council is likely to enter negotiations with BHAL on unsatisfactory and best endeavours environmental conditions. Is there still a consultative committee to represent residents' interests?

- that the Council showed negligence in not considering the approach to runway 21, which affects a large number of residents

- that the Council is aiming to negotiate financial conditions with BHAL which will be unsatisfactory and not commensurate with the disturbance caused to residents


If you have your own complaint or you agree with any of the above, then please take the opportunity to have your complaint recorded formally by writing a letter to Mr Patterson.
You can request that he acknowledges receipt of your complaint and ensures that it is properly recorded.'

Zoë Knight
Chair
Downe Residents' Association

Contact details:

* Mr D. Patterson
Chief Executive Officer
London Borough of Bromley
Civic Centre
Stockwell Close
Bromley
Kent BR1 3UH

It would be advantageous to copy your letter to:

Mark Bowen, Director of Corporate Services, London Borough of Bromley

Our Darwin Ward Councillor Richard Scoates (also at the Civic Centre)

Boris Johnson
City Hall
The Queen's Walk,
London SE1 2AA

Jo Johnson, MP
As parliament has been dissolved:
c/o Orpington Conservative Association
6 Sevenoaks Road
Orpington
BR6 9JJ
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Downe Mailing (119)