Save our Chilterns!By Nick Rose
That was the theme of a packed Public Meeting on Monday 14th April at St Leonards Parish Hall, with upwards of 130 concerned residents attending. The meeting, hosted by all the Local Council members for this area, was called because of concern over proposals to re-route the departure flight paths from several airports in the south-east of England – but it is the changes suggested for Luton airport in particular that might affect this area. There is a consultation exercise in progress now for which the closing date is 22nd May, so time is short.
The meeting heard first from Mike Chadwick, a retired air traffic controller, who explained in considerable detail the changes proposed. They stem from an attempt to accommodate more aeroplanes in the same amount of sky, with the inherent conflicts that this will bring Planes from Heathrow, which we can hear but are not usually intrusive, will frequently fly on a northerly course which will take them pretty much over the top of Great Missenden (and The Lee) at about 6000 feet or so, and at the same time planes from Luton going westwards are obliged to cross underneath, currently at a height of 4-5000 feet which they need to maintain until they are clear of the Heathrow corridor above them.
One of the principal concerns is that under the new proposals planes will fly about four miles further south than at present and at heights of 3-4000 feet and maintain that height for longer, thus imposing a much greater noise footprint on the ground: to compound that, this will take them over the hilltop villages which are, of course, much higher above sea level as well.
Mike was followed by Chris Kenneford, a senior Officer from Bucks County Council who will assist in formulating the response to National Air Traffic Service (NATS). He pointed out that there is a government requirement for flights to be routed over areas of lower population.
Paul Field, a resident of The Lee and a 747 pilot, called into question the whole basis and legality of the consultation process. He also made the point that NATS is substantially owned by airlines who are hardly impartial, and that the consultation therefore lacked objectivity. For example, there is no satisfactory measurement of how the changes will affect a tranquil area like the Chiltern Ridges compared with a more urban locality with some degree of constant background noise. Among his suggestions was that planes from Heathrow could climb sooner, which in turn would ease the Luton problem.
Finally, Colin White, Chief Planning Officer for The Chilterns Conservation Board, took NATS to task for having little regard for the Chilterns’ status as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and pointed out that there was a statutory duty to do so. Visitors to the AONB come here precisely because it is a beautiful and tranquil environment, and they do not expect noise intrusion.
It is now generally felt that individual representations to NATS will be the most effective, but to assist residents a list of suggested issues which could be highlighted will be prepared and circulated to all those who left us their e-mail addresses. It is hoped to have this ready by the end of April.
For those who wish to respond now, the website for NATS is www.consultation.nats.co.uk.
Have your say on flight paths
By Barnaby Usborne
Everyone must know by now of the threat we face from the flight path changes being proposed by NATS. No doubt there will be further discussion at the Annual Parish Meeting on 13th May, but in the meantime you can make your views known. At the Cock and Rabbit and in the Shop there are petition forms that everyone is encouraged to sign.
But while a well-supported petition will show the extent of our concern, it is not nearly as effective as well-directed individual letters. The Parish Council has, with the help of the NATS proposal study group, produced advice to help you with your letters. Advice notes can be picked up when you sign the petition.
Don’t delay if you haven’t taken action already. Comments have to be in by 22nd May.