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Current issues of concern

 

High Speed 2

Click here to open our HS2 micro-site.

 

Ever changing Government Planning Legislation

Please refer to the 'Emerging planning (and related) issues' link in the drop-down list above.

 

Pressure for additional housing

The Society is concerned that the siting of large housing developments on the edge of existing built up areas or the creation of entirely new settlements (recently referred to as "eco-towns") either in or near the Chilterns would have a detrimental effect on our area due to the substantial increased population, excessive impact on the Chilterns countryside and lack of infrastructure provisions.

 

Airport Developments at Heathrow and Luton and associated airspace concerns

The Society is opposed to further expansion of Heathrow and Luton airports as this would result in considerable negative environmental effect on the Chilterns due to extra traffic, pressure for housing and overflying noise nuisance. In 2009 National Air Traffic Services (NATS) consulted the public on a major revision to aircraft routes to the north of London. The stated objective was to reduce delays and accommodate anticipated future growth from existing runways up to 2014. The opportunity was taken to re-design routes to use the extra flexibility of satellite based navigation.

Certain aspects of the proposals were of serious concern to the Society and to many others in the Chilterns, especially the changes proposed to Luton departure routes. These would bring more aircraft over tranquil areas of the Chilterns and at lower altitudes than currently. Crucially the Society felt that NATS were failing to properly interpret Government guidance about the status of the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs). The Society objected strongly on those grounds. Our comprehensive written response to the consultation is available here.

Using technical expertise from within the Society membership, and following liaison with other objectors, we made suggestions for changes to the NATS proposals to address our concerns.

Although this consultation was explicitly not about new runways and terminals, nor about night flights, it did bring to the surface the considerable strength of feeling that already exists about the noise burden on the Chilterns from commercial and recreational flying. Just as we have done for many years, the Society will continue to actively campaign on these issues.

 

Waste Management Projects

The Society broadly supports Local Authorities in their attempts to reduce the use of landfill as a means of disposal of non-recyclable waste due to the danger of polluting the aquifer and the non-availability of suitable sites. It favours the use of modern energy from waste plans, with associated heat/power recovery systems. However it is recognised that the siting of such facilities could pose considerable problems and careful site selection, following full local consultation, is essential.

 

Development of existing settlements

Many of the towns in the Chilterns are subject to considerable development pressure by the significant infilling of existing gardens and larger plots with new higher density houses and apartment blocks. This increases the population and consequent traffic/congestion and often with no (or inadequate) infrastructure provision or improvements. However the Society recognises that housing development within existing town and village centres does at least reduce pressure for new house building in the open countryside.

Consequently the Society, on this careful balance of factors, will generally encourage and support sympathetic development of the towns that is in scale with the particular settlement and is shown to protect the unique Chiltern character. It will look to ensure planning schemes includes a development design statement from the applicant that explains what has been taken into account and how this has affected the design, scale, materials, etc., that have been incorporated into the scheme.

 

Loss of Village infrastructure

A characteristic of the Chilterns is not only to be found in its landscape but also in the charm and uniqueness of its villages and settlements. The steady loss of village amenities such as shops, post offices, pubs, etc., appears to be a modern trend that is most regrettable. Where the loss of such facilities is incorporated in planning applications, the Society will normally strongly object, unless material local factors or considerations dictate otherwise.

 

Protection of the Green Belt

The Society strongly supports the strong application of Green Belt policy as contained in national planning advice and as would normally be set out in local plan documents and Core Strategies of local Councils. Such policy is of national significance and, if properly applied, it should operate as a successful means of preventing urban sprawl and the merging of separate settlements. It also safeguards land for outdoor sport and outdoor recreation, for the health and benefit of everyone.