Concern is voiced on '˜superhighway' over South Downs National Park

Concerns have been voiced about the effects on the South Downs National Park of a proposed '˜superhighway' style concentrated flightpath for planes going to TAG Farnborough Airport.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Oct 2016, 13:01 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 01:58 BST

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The consultation period was extended to November 2 when people complained about the short time given to decipher the highly complicated data in the consultation documents. And now many of the parish councils affected by the proposals to fly on a more concentrated line over the Midhurst, Easebourne, Fernhurst and Milland area, have held a special meeting in Elsted to hear about the plant from TAG Farnborough representatives.

It was chaired and organised by Chichester district councillor for the Harting area Andrew Shaxson.

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Adrian Hearle from Woolbeding and Redford asked what consideration had been given to the silence policy, and to avoid the national park area.

Chairman of Bepton Parish Council Howard Ewing was concerned about disruption to an area of tranquillity pointing out government policy was to protect national parks. And Carola Brown from Trotton with Chithurst asked if the park’s ‘dark skies’ policy had been considered.

But they were told government policy was to concentrate flights over areas of less population, and there was no policy about national parks.

TAG representatives said the CAA would decide the issue and they encouraged parishes to voice their concerns in their consultation responses.

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Carole Frost of Stedham Parish Council commented: “A ‘concentrated’ superhighway above the skies of Midhurst and our peaceful downland villages is a worrying development that will cause noise and pollution in an otherwise tranquil setting. Dispersal is a fairer way to share the burden. Concentration is a blight on every underlying area in its wake.

“Why on earth do we have the protection of the South Downs National Park, if not to guard against such a superhighway of the air?”

Responses must be made via email to [email protected] by November 2

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