Proposals to amend current flight paths could see more planes flying over eight Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the Brecon Beacons National Park. 

Countryside campaigners, CPRE{1} and CPRW{2} are objecting to the proposals by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) because of the potential damage that would be caused to the tranquillity of these special areas.

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NOTES TO EDITORS
Details of the estimated increase in flights for each 'protected area' are attached.{3}  The proposals are subject to public consultation which closes on 7 November 2005.

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Paul Hamblin, CPRE's Head of Transport Policy, said:

'Government plans to accommodate massive expansion in air travel threaten to wreck the tranquillity of the countryside, as well as its own efforts to tackle climate change.{4}  These areas, some of our most protected landscapes, are confronting a new threat to their peace and quiet from above.

'It is a threat which could well spread across the country as the number of flights increase.'

The consultation paper seeks to satisfy predicted growth in air traffic by 30% to 2012 and reduce delays.  It envisages growth in flights of 42% over eight Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the National Park by 2018. 

Paul Hamblin continued:

'The CAA seems to have done a serious job of mapping the effects, but conclude that the intrusion will be minimal in the designated areas.  We strongly question this view.  In any case the huge increase in flights risks damaging the peace and quiet in the countryside outside the National Park and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

'There is a serious lack of information on the effect of aircraft noise on people in quiet environments,{5} and current standards are too weak as a result.'

Deb Wozencraft, CPRW's Liaison Officer, added:

'It seems bizarre that in these days of promoting sustainability and encouraging people to enjoy our natural landscape that the issue of increasing air transport has again thrown any progress that we have made into turmoil.  The predicted increased growth of 42% in air traffic over the Brecon Beacons National Park between now and 2018 will inevitably compromise enjoyment of our protected areas and the Welsh countryside as a whole.'

We are calling on the Government to:

• revise, and lower, the threshold it uses as an indicator of community annoyance, to better reflect the impact of aircraft noise on rural communities;{6}
  
• urgently commission research examining the effect of aircraft noise on people in tranquil areas;
  
• use the Civil Aviation Bill{7} to strengthen arrangements for protecting tranquil areas;{8} and
  
• all on the CAA to re-think its plans for flight paths in the South West and Wales.
  

Paul Hamblin concluded: 'The tranquillity of these areas is a key ingredient in what makes them special for everyone to enjoy.  Lose that, and we are all the poorer.'

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NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. CPRE exists to promote the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England by encouraging the sustainable use of land and other natural resources in town and country. We promote positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside to ensure change values its natural and built environment. Our Patron is Her Majesty The Queen. We have 60,000 supporters, a branch in every county, nine regional groups, over 200 local groups and a national office in London. CPRE is a powerful combination of effective local action and strong national campaigning. Our President is Sir Max Hastings.

2. The Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales (CPRW) is a charity that aims to secure the protection and improvement of the rural landscape, environment and the amenities of towns and villages in Wales, whilst recognising the importance of its indigenous cultures.

3. CPRE published a map, Flying to Distraction, in 2003 prior to the publication of the Government's Air Transport White Paper.  This highlighted the potential threat to the tranquillity of the countryside, and to communities across the country, as a consequence of the Government's forecast increase in air traffic growth, and the proposed options for airport expansion.

4. On 21 September 2005, new research from the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research showed that for aviation to be allowed to expand in the way predicted, and planned for in the Government's Air Transport White Paper, all householders, motorists and businesses would need to cut their carbon dioxide emissions (the main greenhouse gas) to zero, if Government targets on climate change are to be met.

5. The CAA consultation paper acknowledges that 'the evidence suggests that at low levels aircraft noise measurement is not a good predictor of the degree of annoyance' (paragraph 18).

6. The Government currently uses a threshold of 57 dB(A) to indicate the 'threshold of community annoyance'.  Maps are published with contours around each airport to indicate the number of people who fall within the area where this level of noise occurs, or is exceeded.  The World Health Organisation has recommended that a lower limit of 50 dB(A) be used for these purposes.

7. The Government has brought forward a Civil Aviation Bill which has been scrutinised in the House of Commons and will be going to the House of Lords in October for debate.  The Bill proposes minor changes to the management and control of noise and emissions from aircraft.  There are no proposals within it that would see tranquil areas protected from aircraft emissions.

8. The CAA consultation says, correctly, that 'AONBs are afforded certain statutory protection in order to implement this safeguarding but this does not extend to precluding overflight by aircraft'.