Inner Thames Estuary Feasibility Study 1: Environmental Impacts
In December 2013, the Airports Commission identified that while an Inner Thames Estuary location had the potential to provide a significant reduction in the noise impacts compared to most of the phase 1 options and create economic and regeneration activity in north Kent and Essex, it also presented some clear challenges on which further information was needed before a decision could be reached on whether to short-list such a proposal for phase 2. One of these challenges included understanding further the adverse effects of constructing and operating an airport in an Inner Thames Estuary location, a location of clear and distinct nature and conservation value. In particular, identifying and understanding the issues affecting the Natura 2000 network of designated sites, and the wider environmental impacts on estuarine processes, morphology, flood risk, landscape and cultural heritage.