Representation by High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Unit (High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Unit)
- Date submitted
- 12 October 2023
- Submitted by
- Non-statutory organisations
Section 85 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 requires all relevant authorities (including all public bodies, local authorities and statutory undertakers) in exercising or performing any functions in relation to, or so as to affect, land in an area of outstanding natural beauty, to have regard to ‘the purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of AONBs’. The High Weald AONB is the 4th largest AONB in Britain and is one of the best surviving medieval landscapes in north-west Europe. The High Weald AONB Management Plan, prepared under section 89 of the CRoW Act, has been adopted by all the relevant local authorities with land in the AONB as their policy for the management of the area and for the carrying out of their functions in relation to it, and is a material consideration for planning applications. The High Weald AONB Management Plan includes pertinent subjects relevant to the proposed development at Gatwick Airport such as tranquillity, conserving natural beauty, impact on wildlife and habitats and climate change adaptation and resilience. The High Weald AONB Unit raises concerns regarding the proposals on the following grounds: The impact on Climate Change objectives. Increased carbon emissions arising from the increased use of the airport (both from aircraft and associated traffic) jeopardise achieving international climate change objectives. In the High Weald, Objective G3 of the AONB Management Plan seeks: ‘Climatic conditions and rates of change that support continued conservation and enhancement of the High Weald’s landscape and habitats’. This recognises that climate change is irrevocably linked to biodiversity loss and damage to landscapes which have national and international protection. The impact of aircraft noise and associated road traffic on the tranquillity of the AONB. Increased capacity at the airport will result in increased numbers of aircraft and road traffic which will increase the noise and activity problems associated with these vehicles, including impacts on rural populations that live in currently tranquil areas and on habitats and wildlife. Tranquillity is identified in the Management Plan as part of the AONB’s natural beauty. It is covered by Objective OQ4 of the AONB Management Plan: ‘To protect and promote the perceptual qualities; with the rational; to ensure that the special qualities people value, such as tranquillity, dark skies, sense of naturalness and clean air, are recognised and taken account of in AONB management’.