More aircraft over New Forest is 'plane stupid' say Park campaigners

David Murray, transport campaigner for CNP said, “The New Forest National Park is a vital green lung in the south east of England, where people can get away from the ‘hustle and bustle’ and stresses of their modern lives.  The tranquillity, that so many residents and visitors to the New Forest seek, will be seriously jeopardised if the plans to allow more planes to fly over the National Park are given the go ahead. 

“These plans would mean that most of the New Forest would experience aircraft noise which would make a mockery of its designation as a National Park.  With concerns about climate change mounting, activities which would increase carbon emissions and damage the tranquillity of our finest landscapes should not take place.  Instead, local tourism initiatives which would enable people to enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of the Forest without compromising it should be promoted.  For example, this summer, the New Forest National Park Authority and New Forest District Council have found a perfect way for people to enjoy England’s newest National Park sustainably through a series of organised summer cycling events”.

William Ziegler, Chairman of the New Forest Association commented, “It is with regret that once again our neighbours are disregarding the fact that their actions will detrimentally affect the special qualities of the New Forest.
 
“In this ever more frantic world the value of the tranquillity offered by the New Forest is increasingly important and these proposals, if allowed, would seriously degrade the public’s enjoyment of the area.”

Notes to editors
1. The Council for National Parks (CNP) is the national charity that works to protect and enhance the National Parks of England and Wales, and those areas that merit National Park status, and to promote understanding and quiet enjoyment of them for the benefit of all
2. The New Forest Association was founded in 1867 and is the New Forest’s National Park Society, giving its members an ‘effective voice’ on a wide range of New Forest issues http://www.newforestassociation.com/
3.         A stakeholder consultation is currently running (open until 10 August) on the proposed development of Terminal Control South West (TCSW) airspace.  It proposes a considerable expansion of airspace over the New Forest National Park, as well as similar expansion proposals over the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the North Wessex Downs AONB
 4.        The New Forest National Park was created in March 2005.  Its purposes are to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the Park, and to promote opportunities for understanding and enjoyment of its special qualities by the public.  It is the first National Park in the south-east of England and the first to be created for nearly 50 years.  To find out more about the New Forest National Park visit http://www.cnp.org.uk/1_National_Parks--5_National_Parks_in_England.html
5.         In July 2007, Bournemouth Airport Ltd received confirmation from Government Office South West that a £32 million redevelopment scheme had been approved by Christchurch Borough Council.  In May 2007, Bournemouth Airport Ltd published its ‘master plan’ in response to the Government White Paper, The Future of Air Transport, which requires specified airport operators to outline their vision for growth up to 2030.  This master plan can be accessed at http://www.bournemouthairport.com/documents/1178882072.pdf
6.         In November 2006, BAA Southampton developed its master plan.  This ‘vision’ for the next 25 years proposes a huge growth in passenger numbers, from 1.84 million (2005) to 3.05 million per year by 2015 and up to 6 million per year by 2030.  A summary of the Southampton airport master plan can be viewed at
http://www.southamptonairport.com/assets/B2CPortal/Static%20Files/Sou_summary_MP_Nov06.pdf

Contact
David Murray, Policy Officer, 020 7924 4077 ext. 232
Ruth Chambers, Head of Policy, 020 7924 4077 ext. 222
Peter Roberts, Vice Chairman, New Forest Association 01725 514 480