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Archived stories
AIRFIELDS CENSUS
Just how many airfields are there in Essex? Stansted and Southend are always in the news but scattered around the county are many smaller airfields used by flying clubs, farmers and private landowners. Now CPRE, through the National Aviation Group (NAG), want to find out more about these aviation facilities. The main issues which concern NAG include the impact on tranquillity, disturbance by night flying, development around airfields i.e. new roads, car parking and low flying, training flights, business and freight movements John Drake, who represents CPREssex on NAG, is asking members to get in touch with NAG if they have any news or information about airfield development. In recent years, John has been closely involved with campaigning groups Stop Stansted Expansion and Stop Airport Extension Now so he has valuable background knowledge on the subject. But the bigger picture about airfields in Essex will need more information from members around the county. If you want any further details get in touch with John via the CPREssex office. |
WE MUSTN’T GET COMPLACENT BY THE STANSTED SUCCESS
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plans to build a second runway is the best news we could have heard. In the
face of mounting pressure over recent years, rising costs and the Coalition
Government’s announcement to withdraw their support, the BAA have finally
seen sense.Major credit must go to SSE (Stop Stansted Expansion) who have fought a vigorous and highly professional campaign over many years. We were with them all the way and our small yet determined CPREssex Airports group, led by John Drake, deserve great credit.
Southend Airport is not such an encouraging story. After Southend Council voted in favour of supporting the Stobart Group’s bid to extend the runway, work has already been stepped up so that construction of an extended runway, a new rail station and improved passenger facilities will be completed in time for the 2012 Olympics.
There is strong resistance from people living near the airport and others who are close to the flight path. Naturally, they are concerned about the rapid increase in air traffic that can be expected and larger aircraft being able to land and take-off. The local infrastructure is already under pressure and the roads will become even more congested.
South Essex will become a mega transport hub when the new DP World container port scheme is completed in a few years time. The old Shell Haven site on the River Thames will be developed to take some of the largest container ships afloat and work has already begun dredging a deep water channel.
So the success of Stansted must not hide the fact that other significant changes are going ahead in South Essex which will impact on the rest of the county. Our work is not done – but we need help and funding to maintain our respected and effective efforts to maintain the beauty and tranquillity of Essex. We must not become complacent.
If you would like to support our efforts then please contact the CPREssex office at Feering.
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TOM HOLME IS OUR NEW CHAIRMAN Losing precious Green Belt land to satisfy Government building targets is certain to get a furious response from most CPRE members – and Tom Holme is one of them. Now he has a chance to do something about it because Tom will be leading CPREssex into the next decade – as Chairman! “It’s lunacy,” said Tom, “that we have unconstrained greenfield housing development when a million properties in the UK are unoccupied,” says Tom. That shows he’s not afraid to make his views known on several crucial issues. We can’t ignore the fact that these are difficult times for organisations like ours. Money is tight and people are cutting back on their commitments but one of the great strengths of the CPRE has been the experience and tenacity of members who volunteer their time and energy on a whole range of countryside causes. “I believe that CPRE has always combined exemplary grass roots support with a well-researched and highly regarded national voice,” he emphasised. And he had something to say to those who feel that CPRE has NIMBY tendencies (‘not in my backyard’). “I would like it to be known as a NIABY organisation – not in anyone’s back yard!” So look out for some eye-catching initiatives in the coming months. Here’s the current Holme ‘hit list’....
What can we say to that? Watch this space!
VOLUNTEERS CAN STRENGTHEN OUR EFFORTS It probably won't surprise many people to know that the two main issues we have to deal with at CPREssex are planning applications and threats to the green belt. Most of the e-mails and letters are concerned about these threats and want to know what we, as the county branch of a National organisation, can do about it. We have no magic solutions nor do we have any great influence over the individuals and authorities who make the decisions. In many instances, the loss of green belt land and granting of planning permission for a new housing development are one and the same problem. Look at the situations currently causing such anger at Hawkwell and Thundersley. We are aware of the plans to build hundreds of homes on these two sites and have local representatives of CPREssex monitoring what is happening. A recent BBC programme - Country File - highlighted the loss of Green Belt throughout England and came up with some depressing figures. Thousands of acres are being lost every year and although there are suggestions that new 'areas of greenery' are being created, the fact is that developers will continue to eye those stretches of the countryside on the edges of towns and villages. From a builder's point-of-view these are prime targets and the desperation and frustration which local people feel when nearby land is sacrificed to housing is natural enough. Our determination remains the same and we have a lot of volunteers within CPREssex who spend many hours sifting through planning applications and looking for opportunities to challenge the logic and intentions of the developers. All the time we have to remember that the countryside, especially in the South East, cannot sustain plans to build 250,000 homes over the next 15-20 years. The figures are almost overwhelming - and they are often being revised upwards. CPRE is not an organisation that believes high-profile, direct action can achieve its aims. We do not chain ourselves to railings or have to be removed forcibly by the Police if we object to a new road development. But we are tenancious; we are prepared to explore a number of avenues to support our principles and make sure the landscape has some form of protection. In the current climate, success is not easy but that doesn't stop any of us from trying. What we need is more help to continue the battle! A few hours a month or support at a district meeting is greatly valued. So if anyone out there wants to add their voice and time to our efforts then please get in touch. Tony Middleton, our Campaigns and Development Manager, will be delighted to hear from you. David Williams |
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"We are concerned that Essex is losing its rural character. It’s becoming more suburban year after year.” | read the full story |
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 Bill Bryson, President CPRE | FINANCIAL TURMOIL MUST NOT HIDE THE CPRE ISSUES
As house prices tumble and the world economy staggers from one crisis to another, some of the major issues that are causing concern to CPRE members have not gone away. Yet could they be forgotten or buried away as the world worries about global financial calamity?
We must not let this happen. The loss of Green Belt, the reform of planning regulations, litter across the countryside – these are just three major problems that must not be abandoned. |
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YOUR SUPPORT CAN SAVE ESSEX FROM OVER-DEVELOPMENTEssex is under threat. The East of England Plan and the Thames Gateway proposal are blueprints for disaster. The effect of building thousands of new homes, factories, supermarkets, leisure centres, roads and port facilities across the county could be disastrous. These current proposals, if adopted, will change the character of Essex and affect the quality of life for everybody.CPREssex recognises these dangers and is making strenuous efforts to persuade the Government as well as local and regional authorities to think again. We know that more homes are required in the South and East of England – but it should be sustainable development. |
If you feel that our aims match yours then why not join CPREssex. We need volunteers who have the enthusiasm to promote our campaigns and make sure that our county retains the character and traditions which are appreciated by everyone.