A second runway is in the planning stages for Stansted airport. The Woodland Trust have sent this campaign call. Here is the response I sent:
Dear Planners
I wish to add my voice to the many that are opposing the expansion of Stanstead airport.
Firstly, for reasons of heritage:
We have too little of our ancient woodland left and this will destroy five sites. Ancient woodland is irreplaceable and unmovable. The increase in pollution in this area will affect another English heritage, namely, Hatfield Forest.
Secondly, we are at the dawn of a new era where climate change should be at the top of everyone’s agenda: Aircraft are one of the world biggest causes of pollution; Oil has been recognised as a dwindling resourse, the cost of production will continue to rise.
Already, there is an acknowledged drop in the use of motor vehicles caused by increases in petrol costs. Air travel companies are going bust. The cost of flights will soon take pleasure trips out of reach of most people.
Technological improvements mean that teleconferencing is replacing unnecessary business travel.
With this in mind, it is hard to see why a further runway should be considered necessary. Who is going to benefit from this additional service?
If any business were to consider expanding into an area that has patently seen its day it would receive little support. To allocate funds towards expansion of airports is a ludicrous and irresponsible waste of money and resources.
I trust common sense will prevail.
Thank you for writing. It’s a great letter, and thanks for sharing it. I, too, trust that common sense will prevail.
Angela