The National Trust today warned that the tranquillity of its properties across west London and Berkshire was under direct threat following the Government’s decision to support the expansion of Heathrow airport and remove existing safeguards.
Fiona Reynolds, Director-General at the National Trust said:
'This decision is a direct threat to the tranquillity and possibility of escape from an increasingly hectic and urbanised environment that millions of people seek from parks, countryside, and other open spaces. More flights from a much larger airport will significantly damage their quality of life.'
The expansion of Heathrow airport would mean that some of the most precious green spaces across large areas of London and the South East would suffer from serious noise pollution and a loss of tranquillity.
Aircraft noise from Heathrow already has a major impact at Osterley Park on the fringes of west London. The park is a highly valued and much used public open space in the densely populated borough of Hounslow, enjoyed by over 500,000 people a year.
Ian Wilson, National Trust Area Manager for London added:
'In a recent poll carried out in the park 77 per cent of people we spoke to said they were opposed to further expansion and we remain deeply concerned about the impact that the expansion of Heathrow will have on Osterley and other National Trust properties to the West of London. There remains potential for the park to be over flown every few minutes all day everyday effectively destroying the relative tranquillity of this highly valued green space.'
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