More Aircraft Over New Forest Is ‘Plane Stupid’ Say Park Campaigners

The Council for National Parks (1) (CNP) and the New Forest Association (2) have joined forces to object to a proposal to expand airspace (3) over a large section of the New Forest National Park, which threatens to destroy the peace and quiet of England’s newest National Park (4).  Coupled with plans to grow Bournemouth airport (5), and to more than treble passenger numbers at Southampton airport over the next 23 years (6), this increased air traffic will blight people’s enjoyment of the New Forest, as well as the quality of life of people living within the area.

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.”