National trust opposes Stansted expansion

The National Trust in England today added its weight to a campaign against plans to expand Stansted Airport saying a “unique” 1,000 acre forest would suffer significant damage if the proposals became reality.

Officials said they aimed to raise awareness of the “threat” to Hatfield Forest, a medieval hunting forest which is more than 1,000 years old, if the airport, near Chelmsford Essex, grew.

They warned that airport expansion would undermine a “vital community resource” which lies 1.5 miles from the main Stansted runway.

“Hatfield Forest in Essex is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and as a National Nature Reserve,” said a Trust spokeswoman.

“Hatfield Forest is home to a number of rare and important habitats, including a number of veteran trees over 1,000 years old. The Trust is concerned that emissions from aircraft and road traffic associated with the airport may already be damaging the forest, and that this would be worsened by airport expansion.

“Hatfield Forest is an irreplaceable example of a medieval hunting forest, the like of which exists nowhere else in the UK.

“The forest currently offers visitors the ability to step back into a medieval landscape, something which noise generated by a new runway, aligned directly over the heart of the forest, would significantly undermine.

“This could be further compounded by degradation to its environment caused by aircraft emissions.

“Hatfield Forest is an increasingly precious ‘green lung’ in one of the fastest developing areas in the country. Noise and pollution will significantly compromise its ability to perform this role.”

Forest Property Manager, Adrian Clarke added: “Hundreds of thousands of people enjoy Hatfield Forest each year. It’s a vital community resource, not just because of its history, but also because of the space and tranquillity it offers. If plans to expand Stansted go ahead, increased noise and pollution would mean that this role is badly undermined.

“The environment of the forest may also be under threat. We have important wildlife, much of it associated with the 850 veteran trees, some over 1,000 years old.

“We are concerned that emissions from aircraft and road traffic associated with the airport may already be damaging the forest, and that this could be worsened by airport expansion.”

In December, a Government aviation White Paper supported the idea of a new Stansted runway.

Many local residents are up in arms about the plans. They say expansion would have a devastating impact on the environment, scores of homes would be lost and swathes of stunning countryside destroyed.