Media interest in Chocks Go Away campaign continues to grow.

Hello Ikenna,

Thanks for your comment; hopefully this will help you.

“Recreational aircraft operate with a lot of limitations so noise pollution will be minimal compared to regular airports.”

We currently have no airports in the proposed field, regular or otherwise, so the comparison cannot be made. What we do have are a variety of birds and wildlife; all of which are considerably quieter than an aircraft and produce no pollution.

‘…the air field is proposed to cater for electric aircraft which will further reduce amount of emissions produced by air traffic.’

Electric aviation is in its infancy. This proposal is for 20 conventional light aircraft with piston engines. There are just 3 electric fixed wing light aircraft registered in the UK compared with thousands with combustion engines.

‘The environmental impact of a recreational airfield is minuscule at best.’

We, and a significant number of organisations who have formally objected and submitted detailed reports on the matter, disagree. The noise will be harmful to wildlife. The grass runway will be mown and of little green value. The CAA routinely provides detailed guidance to airfields to help them discourage and minimise features attractive to birds and other wildlife which might interfere with or cause danger to aircraft users. The noise will impact the wildlife-rich woodland, scrub, grassland and hedgerows at Manor Farm on the southwest end of the runway. To the northeast is a large area of meadows, scrub, copse, hedgerows and paddocks providing a locally important relief habitat for wildlife, spared the impacts of intensive farming; this enclave will be directly impacted with landing and takeoffs.

‘Local businesses will benefit from visitors to the airfield.’

We have repeatedly asked the applicants to substantiate this claim but are yet to receive an answer. The developer states that the glamping pods are “principally for use by the aircraft owners” who already live locally. No jobs will arise other than perhaps some part time cleaning. The economic case is remarkably weak considering the scale of the harms. Occasional overnight stays by visiting pilots will make no meaningful local contribution when considered against the booming sustainable tourism the area offers.

‘So what exactly is the apocalyptic effect that the airfield will supposedly have on your little village?’

We recommend that you visit the DDC Application website and review the 970+ informed and heartfelt comments submitted by local objectors, all of whom care deeply about safeguarding the long-term future of their environment, and little villages.