South Kintyre - potential noise pollution threat?

[Mole in a Hole]

Anyone else heard about a new plan to site a "Jet Club" at RAF Machrihanish?
Rumour has it that a Glasgow-based consultancy is in advanced talks with the MOD/Defence Estates and HIE (Argyll and the Islands) to establish such a club at the base for a peppercorn rent.

Apparently the sketch is that a group of say 50 ultra-wealthy business people establish the club which then takes ownership of around 10 small private jets which are made available for the members who have their own qualification to fly them.

It would seem that the prospective members of the club have been looking for a quiet, rural, UK location where they can indulge their hobby without worrying about annoying the local population with the extreme noise levels they generate. Having done their research Machrihanish seems to fit the bill as far as they are concerned!

As far as I can see, this could be a potential disaster for the area. The likelihood is that these jets will be continuously in the air during daylight hours around South Kintyre for the whole of the summer seasons, they will be extremely loud and they will make the area less pleasant to live in for all of us on a daily basis. If we throw into the mix the noise impact on visitors to the area - walkers, cyclists, golfers etc. it doesn't bear thinking about. I would also imagine that there could be animal welfare implications if cattle and sheep are regularly buzzed by low flying aircraft.

Okay, I fully understand that we've had jets before and yes, they were noisy, but the frequency of these new flights would be greater and they would be shorter journeys, effectively remaining in the area for most of the time and no doubt seeking to maximise air time for each jet. Thus, noise, noise noise from dawn until dusk.........

Fair enough you are probably thinking, but surely there will be an economic spin-off that will compensate for all this noise?
Er, well no, not really. Firstly, the peppercorn rent would suggest that even the the MOD/DE won't be dining out too often on the income. In fact, it is likely that you would pay more in annual rental for one of the closed shops in Longrow.

Oh, well, but at least we will have fifty ultra-rich people coming and staying in the area while they wait for their shot in the jet. That's bound to make a difference isn't it? Again, no, I don't think so. If they have that kind of money they will book their slot with the club, and arrive directly at the airport by private plane/helicopter and then fly away again once they have finished.

I honestly have no difficulty with concept of people working hard to accrue wealth and use it how they see fit, provided it is legal. What is a problem for me is the possibility that a plaything for perhaps 50 individuals with severe environmental ramifications for everyone living in the area, can be sited here without any consideration for the local population.

I don't expect MOD/DE will comment, but I would throw out a challenge here to HIE to confirm or deny this story and if it is true, to engage with the community to see if a private jet club, which will be accountable to no-one, is high on the list of things we would like to see happening at the airport.

I would be interested to find out whether or not other board members agree with my view

[bill]

I was approached some time ago to see if I would be interested in becoming a member of this proposed "jet club".Unfortunately I had to refuse as the jets they are planning to fly are too small,I normally fly only the larger Lear jets.

[Troll Hunter]

Sounds like troll fodder to me.

[Mole in a Hole]

Sounds like troll fodder to me.

Strange (and very wrong) response.

Judging by the haste with which you registered your identity it looks like the only Troll on here is your good self.

Taking into account your aggressive dismissal of my post, I'm sure you will be more than happy to tell us why a jet club would be good for us.

Oh, and watch out for the Bochans. They can't abide Trolls apparently.......

[bubbly jock]

M.I.A.H.

You will find, as have most of the kintyre residents who used to post on here have, that any serious issues posted that affect them and their families is very soon trivialised by outsiders. They are more to be pitied than scolded I suppose

I hope we, the residents are given more info on this if it is more than a rumour.

bubbly

[Troll Hunter]

At risk of ignoring my own advice:

Judging by the haste with which you registered your identity it looks like the only Troll on here is your good self.

And yours was registered for so much longer, of course.

Taking into account your aggressive dismissal of my post, I'm sure you will be more than happy to tell us why a jet club would be good for us.

Dismissal? Yes. Aggressive? Hardly.

Good for Kintyre? Probably not, but then I don't think I expressed an opinion either way.

The whole thing sounds like a fairy story to me.

[Buzz Lightyear]

Is it just me here or i am imagining things??

We have one of the biggest airfields in the UK with one of the longest runways.....which hardly gets used

What is an airfield for????? let me think about that for a second....

No, i Can't think what it can be used for can anyone else??

MIAH get real & before posting get facts correct.

[Mole in a Hole]

:? Is it just me here or i am imagining things??

I don't know. Have a look around you and if there is no-one else there then you're not imagining it.



We have one of the biggest airfields in the UK with one of the longest runways.....which hardly gets used

What is an airfield for????? let me think about that for a second....

No, i Can't think what it can be used for can anyone else??

MIAH get real & before posting get facts correct.

Rather than attempt to patronise me, go back and read my previous post again and you will see that I posted it as a rumour I had heard. My reason for posting is that I am interested in whether the wider community shares my concerns about such a scenario, that's all.

The airfield is the best piece of infrastructure in the West Highlands and should be an asset to this community, However, if you honestly believe that giving the run of it to a private club is going to make the facility viable you really need to get a grip on reality. Leaving the noise issue aside, this type of project will generate hee haw in the way of revenue.

Actually, I've just realised that yours wasn't a serious posting at all and that you were just looking for an excuse to register the big 100. Many congratulations you must be feeling very proud.

[John S]

Tell us more Buzz, is there anything in it?

[Bobbie En Tejas]

M.I.A.H.

You will find, as have most of the kintyre residents who used to post on here have, that any serious issues posted that affect them and their families is very soon trivialised by outsiders. They are more to be pitied than scolded I suppose

I hope we, the residents are given more info on this if it is more than a rumour.

bubbly

Just curious, how are outsiders trivializing issues important to kintyre people? I'm sure any of us who are "outsiders" would feel terrible if that is how what we are writing is interpreted.

[Buzz Lightyear]

MIAH,

who runs the airfield?

What do you want done with the airfield then...tell us more?

Maybe you want some nice quiet planes coming in & out between 9 in the morning & finishing at 5 in the afternoon & only coming in Monday to friday.

i am afraid that if people in the area want the airfield to be used for its purpose then we better be prepared to give up something....noise will be an issue...but you will be surprised to learn it is not a big issue on the scheme of things. i can guarantee you that if it is used for maintenance of aircraft, servicing of trans atlantic aircraft & the likes, then they will be coming in at all hours & all weekdays & it will be noisy.

i genually want to know...what do the people want the airfield used for??

[Mole in a Hole]

At risk of ignoring my own advice:

Judging by the haste with which you registered your identity it looks like the only Troll on here is your good self.

And yours was registered for so much longer, of course.

Taking into account your aggressive dismissal of my post, I'm sure you will be more than happy to tell us why a jet club would be good for us.

Dismissal? Yes. Aggressive? Hardly.

Good for Kintyre? Probably not, but then I don't think I expressed an opinion either way.

The whole thing sounds like a fairy story to me.

OK TH, I'm pretty sure now that you are not a troll and I trust the feeling is mutual.
The whole thing may very well be a fairy story but on the other hand it might not be.
That wasn't really the point of my post so obviously I didn't explain myself very well.

I was trying in my own bumbling way to find out how the wider population would welcome such a proposal if it was suddenly presented as a fait accompli. That's all nothing more, nothing less.

For what it's worth, I believe that the airfield could become a major lever of the local economy if developed in a sensible and sustainable way, and I've heard a few good ideas bubbling up in the last year or so which could very well work. However, I sincerely believe that if this particular project comes to pass it will be detrimental to the area and will make the place less attractive to live in. Speaking for myself, if I wanted to spend my life living within earshot of big boys constantly playing with their jet engines I would relocate to Gatwick or somewhere like that.....

[Mole in a Hole]

MIAH,

who runs the airfield?

What do you want done with the airfield then...tell us more?

Maybe you want some nice quiet planes coming in & out between 9 in the morning & finishing at 5 in the afternoon & only coming in Monday to friday.

i am afraid that if people in the area want the airfield to be used for its purpose then we better be prepared to give up something....noise will be an issue...but you will be surprised to learn it is not a big issue on the scheme of things. i can guarantee you that if it is used for maintenance of aircraft, servicing of trans atlantic aircraft & the likes, then they will be coming in at all hours & all weekdays & it will be noisy.

i genually want to know...what do the people want the airfield used for??

Buzz, sit down and wipe the steam off your visor.

You seem to keep missing the point of my posts.
I don't think anyone that wants to see the airport developed would argue with the points you are making.
If all these things happen the airport will indeed be a powerhouse for the economy and most reasonable people would accept that the cost of success could include a higher noise exposure.

However, all this has nothing to do with the setting up of an elite, private club who would not be contributing anything to the local economy, yet would give us the constant noise harrassment I referred to.

[abbey craig]

dont know what your arguing about..it will never happen
just add to the list of ferry...and golf course

[The Hitman]

Golf course starts within a month!!