All this is true but the sad fact is there was no other place to put the airport. The higher interior would have used up farming and living acreage and is frequently obscured by mist and clouds. Re-orienting the runway at the present location would not be possible due to higher terrain under the approach. Without an airport, young people were leaving the island and the population has been decreasing. So long as the UK decides to stay in the South Atlantic this was the only move. If they want to move the 8000 people on St. Helena, Ascension, Tristan da Cunha and The Falklands to the UK and provide them with employment and housing, that would be the cheapest solution.