National Trust says no to second runway at Stansted Airport

The National Trust strongly opposes BAA’s planning application to build a second runway at Stansted and has put its objections in writing to Uttlesford District Council.

Ade Clarke, The National Trust’s Property Manager for Hatfield Forest, said:

'BAA’s plans to expand Stansted give us serious concerns for the future of Hatfield Forest, a vital green space for local people and for wildlife. The potential increase in noise pollution alone would have a major impact on this ancient landscape and the tranquillity experienced by over a quarter of a million visitors annually would be ruined. The inevitable increase in air pollution would also jeopardise the Forest’s species and long term stability.'

The second runway at Stansted would make it the same size as Heathrow. It would potentially triple the number of passengers using the airport, and continue to dramatically increase the number of planes flying close to the medieval hunting forest which is home to many ancient trees, several hundred species of rare moths, flies, plants, fungi and lichen and 65 species of breeding birds.

BAA hasconsistently failed to assess the impact on people'squality of life and to address the increase innoise and air pollution. The National Trust has been involved in opposing expansion proposals at Stansted for over 25 years, with the active support of our members and the general public.

Ade continued:

'The Environmental Impact Assessment undertaken by BAA has major shortcomings which make their suggested off-setting measures, such as transferring woodland and hedgerows, no mitigation for the loss of wide swathes of ancient countryside. The lack of consideration of the impact on airspace gives us cause for concern, and we have seen no evidence to support BAA’s argument that the expansion will have economic benefits for rural and urban communities in the East of England.'

The outcome of the Government’s Public Inquiry in the BAA’s application to maximise usage of the existing runway at Stansted has not yet been decided. This application, rejected by Uttlesford District Council, could see passenger numbers increase from 25 million to 35 million each year.

Read the full letter of objection.

Ancient pollarded oak on the plains at Hatfield Forest