Should Covid-19 pause development?

Much has been said and written about proposed additional development in the Gatwick area. This residential and commercial development is as a consequence of the intention to expand London Gatwick Airport, including the construction of a second runway. However, has the Covid-19 pandemic changed these proposals, as it has decimated the flying industry which has resulted in a drastic downturn in flying by some 90 per cent.

This could result in the possibility of deferring the unwelcome prospect of reducing green pastures to a brick and concrete jungle, coupled with the consequent increase in infrastructure. Many people would welcome such a delay.

London Gatwick Airport along with London Heathrow and other regional airports have suffered extremely badly due to the virus. As a result many airlines such as BA, Virgin, Easy Jet and Norwegian, to name but a few, have either terminated their operation from the airport or drastically reduced the number of flights. This has resulted in fleets being reduced in size, along with many staff being made redundant. Also, as a consequence of the virus, employers – particularly during the lockdown periods – have changed their approach to working, with many people working from home.

This could well be a long-term or permanent effect, which would result in no need for spacious offices. It could also have an effect on house design, calling for office space to be incorporated into the layouts, as well as the need to provide good communications, including fibre-optic connections.

These changes must impact on the existing need to develop our area – will the requirement for residential accommodation and commercial premises be so great?

The Land North of Horsham site, being developed by Legal & General has been mainly viable due to the intention to develop London Gatwick Airport. Furthermore, the proposal to construct 10,000 homes by Homes England in the Ifield area has only existed for similar reasons. The much-discussed project to construct a new village in the Henfield / Burgess Hill area would only be viable if Gatwick Airport was developed and peoples working methods did not change from those of pre Covid-19.

Whilst the public have aired their concerns at the continued wish to develop the area, our MPs have done little to back the public, with exception of Andrew Griffith, the MP for Arundel.

Will the Government and local authorities continue blindly on with the intention to develop the Gatwick area, or will they take a breath and review both residential and development needs in light of the changes brought about by Covid-19?

Sadly, I think not, as there is a belief in Government that allowing the construction industry to flourish will help the economy!

Surely time could be better spent reviewing the need for affordable housing and care for the elderly – but does that help the economy?