NATS airspace consultation

Press release. 17 June.

The Chiltern Society objects to NATS airspace consultation

The Chiltern Society considers NATS has failed to follow government guidance in relation to Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has produced a fundamentally flawed document for consultation. Government guidance states

“The aim is to preserve all things which make the countryside attractive and special, which includes tranquillity. The Government’s aim is to give stronger protection to the most valued landscapes in designated national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty. Therefore, whenever practicable the Directorate of Airspace Policy (DAP) should pursue policies that will help to preserve the tranquillity of the countryside where this does not increase significantly the environmental burdens on congested areas.”

We believe that NATS has ignored or misrepresented these guidelines and the CAA’s Director of Airspace Policy will be duty bound to reject the current NATS’ proposals for the TCN Chilterns and Luton area as inadequate in these areas.

Chairman John Taylor said, “The government speaks with a forked tongue on the environment, issuing supportive legislation whilst simultaneously encouraging the commercial lobby in the name of ‘growth’. The Chilterns have been designated a area of outstanding natural beauty, but these proposals will result in more air traffic overflying the Chilterns whilst the ink is drying on other consultations to build a third runway at Heathrow, a second runway at Stansted, and increased flights from Luton.”

Click here to read the full Chiltern Society submission including proposals to amend routes and raise minimum altitudes to reduce local impact.