High and lows of this airport

3:48pm Wednesday 24th October 2001

I APPRECIATE Hugh Bunce's sentiments (Letters, October 17), regarding the proximity to Farnborough Hospital of aircraft flying in on the final approach to Runway 21 at Biggin Hill.

But his estimation of height at a “few hundred” feet is, in fact, 750ft above ground level at Farnborough for aircraft on the ILS (3E glideslope) and likely to be a little higher for traffic on a visual approach. The airfield has been there for many years.

(I wonder if people complained when it was an RAF base and military jets went screaming over) .

Furthermore, it was a busy commercial field long before the new hospital was planned, at which time an increase in use was entirely foreseeable, within the restrictions of its lease and in line with the general increase in aviation traffic.

Should not Mr Bunce's concern, therefore, be directed at the planners and Bromley Council who permitted the development on the site?

In reality, as a building services consultant (and pilot), I am sure the noise problem was taken into account in the design of the hospital.

And, with modern constructional and sound attenuation techniques, I doubt whether you will hear any aircraft noise once you enter the building.

JOHN K LOVE

Chislehurst Road

Petts Wood

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