Although it all seems good news from Southend Airport, I am worried about the effect it is having to the environment of the town, the true cost we are not sure of yet because the flights have not yet started in full.

Already we have had a church, one of our oldest, isolated at the end of a road, a number of beautiful 100- year-old trees taken down and a number of cottages demolished.

Now we have the threat of the compulsory purchase of the garden centre and houses at the end of Exmouth Avenue also the neighbouring house being told aerials have to be lowered, plus the possibility that Blenheim School might have to be moved if the noise from the jets are too much.

If the planes are that low, I think the people in Leigh under the flight path should begin to question if the lure of cheap and easy flights on their doorstep is worth it.

This is only the start. Perhaps we should have listened to the environmentalists and questioned our council more.

Tony Hall
Westborough Road
Westcliff