We are against the relocation of British International Helicopters to Land’s End Aerodrome and believe that our rationale is in harmony with your policies in every respect.
PDC's policies for sustainable tourism state that the council will (I quote) "encourage and assist tourism in a manner which -
* welcomes, involves and satisfies visitorsOur contention is that the relocation of BIH to Land's End fails to satisfy any of these requirements.
* achieves a profitable prosperous industry
* engages and benefits host communities
* protects and enhances the local environment"
DOES THE RELOCATION ACHIEVE A PROFITABLE PROSPEROUS INDUSTRY?
DOES IT WELCOME, INVOLVE AND SATISFY VISITORS?
At all times, a company must play to and maximise its strengths and minimise its weaknesses. Survival depends on identifying and profitably satisfying the customer's needs. The unique selling points that BIH have at present over their competitors are:
* a convenient departure point with easy access to rail, road and bus linksBut their relocation eliminates every marketing advantage they enjoy because -
* high departure reliability
* limited additional costs
* BIH will once again subject their customers to the very delays and uncertainties that they once sought to remove from their programme because of the fog and high wind that threaten in all seasonsNo wonder their customers are already stating that they would prefer to fly from Newquay, take the boat from Penzance or go elsewhere.
* customers will face an extra irksome journey between their flight and transport link that will inevitably be subject to delays during holiday periods.
* there will be occasions when Scillonians will have no air link with the mainland
Added to this there is already a perfectly adequate, cheaper, quicker, more fuel efficient, quieter and statistically safer fixed wing service operating from the same location.
All these factors determine a dwindling business for BIH, address none of their weaknesses and will inevitably hasten their demise.
It seems that they are relocating to release the capital locked in their existing heliport site. If by doing this they damage West Penwith's long term tourist economy, and discourage people from visiting Penwith and the Isles of Scilly, it is nothing short of shameful.
Four of the largest campsites in West Penwith lie close to the aerodrome, along with rental accommodation and other small businesses. Our members are very concerned that the noise and pollution of helicopters landing and taking off at close proximity, must discourage visitors. Businesses on the Isles of Scilly consider that the extra journey their visitors are now committed to, detracts from a pleasurable holiday experience.
DOES THE RELOCATION ENGAGE AND BENEFIT LOCAL COMMUNITIES?
The roads to Land's End support a rural community of small villages and hamlets, twisting and winding through beautiful landscape. In the Summer they are busy with locals' cars, farm vehicles, bicycles, horses and ponies. Adding even greater visitor traffic is not sustainable growth, but the imposition of a dangerous burden that will change the nature of local villages, challenge their rural way of life and cause frustrating traffic jams for everyone.
According to BIH's own statistics they employ over 80 people and carry an average of about 300 passengers a day. A conservative estimate informs us that in terms of road traffic this will mean 200 round trips a day; 400 journeys of ten miles; 4000 miles per day, and over 1.5 million miles per year. At 30 mpg that will burn over 50,000 gallons of fuel. Quite rightly, county and district policies encourage business to be located close to population centres specifically to avoid this situation.
Helicopters generate up to three times the noise of the fixed wing aircraft. BIH's timetable reveals that a helicopter will take off and land approximately every fifteen minutes in high season. This will subject local people to intolerable noise and pollution, continuously, throughout the day.
The aerodrome is surrounded by farms, moors and downs all hosting farm animals, horses, ponies and wild creatures. It is well documented how the noise and motion from helicopters terrify them and there have been thousands of accidents.
DOES THE RELOCATION PROTECT AND ENHANCE THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT?
The beauty of the area, is in our view unequalled and its greatest asset. Abutting and almost abutting the aerodrome are stunning cliffs, moors, downs, sand dunes, sheltered valleys, ancient field systems, neolithic remains, footpaths, streams, small water falls, tin mining sites and holy wells, all set against the wonderful Atlantic Ocean. Unusual birds, insects and plants thrive in the different habitats. Two of the best surfing beaches in the country along with the coast path add to the wonderfully diverse richness any visitor experiences. They return year after year because they enjoy the fresh air, peacefulness, wildlife, beaches, and special quality of light that they, along with the locals, love.
Imagine their dismay when encountering repeated helicopter clatter resounding from the cliffs and through the valleys.
To accommodate the number of passengers and staff that would be using the aerodrome, a car park offering 800 additional spaces would seem a reasonable estimate. Acres of parked cars will impinge on the vistas enjoyed from Carn Bosavern, Chapel Carn Brea, Bartinney Downs, the ancient footpaths to Carn Euny and all the surrounding high ground.
How long will it be before holiday makers choose other valleys, beaches, sections of coast path to visit, that are not blighted by car parks, noisy aircraft, pollution and congested roads?
And to conclude, for now, BIH are before you in closed session because they qualify for part 1 of schedule12 A. This does not surprise us, as BIH have, in our view, employed surprise, speed and secrecy as key strategies to drive along their plans, leaving councillors and local people confused and ill informed. What is desperately needed is a public meeting where BIH set out their long term plans for the service, offering them for debate and questioning by all the local people affected, because in general, the people of Penzance, the Isles of Scilly, the Land's End Area and surrounding villages are against this relocation.
The Certificate of Lawful Development for runway lighting, submitted by Westward Airways, is a significant, insidious document before the council, deserving careful scrutiny. It is vital that the council consider it in the context of BIH's long term plans and an Environmental Impact Assessment should pre-empt any permissions granted.
Tony Jones has stated that if the helicopters are prevented from going to Land's End they will be deployed elsewhere. Whatever BIH do, the citizens of Penwith deserve a long term thriving tourist industry that operates within sustainable development guidelines, not a short term solution that damages a sensitive environment and turns potential visitors away from the area.
We hope that this committee will subject BIH to the same rigorous questions that we have posed this evening.
