The Wider Issues
The following lists a number of concerns, which are not as immediately recognised.
The issues are wide and varied and may depend an individual's circumstance. |
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What impact does this development have on The Airfield?
- Aviation – The loss of over 6,000 aircraft movements per year
- Employment – The loss of many jobs which have been created to support aircraft movement, maintenance of aircraft and general safety support within its boundary. This is also to be said of the many other non aviation businesses employing local people
- Tourism – The airfield attracts many visitors from home and overseas because of its world war 2 history and its considerable collection of flying vintage aircraft
- Market - This largest outdoor market in the UK, which attracts between 20,000 and 25,000 visitors weekly, could also be under threat. There would be considerable loss of employment and revenue to the District Council
- Leisure – Some of which are: Young Gymnastics, Archery, Golf Range, Model Aircraft, Gliding, Drag Racing, Advance Driving to name just a few. These and many social events are also threatened
What does it mean to you and yours?
It is not just north weald airfield that is threatened, it is also the greenbelt land across and adjacent to our parish, three times the size of the airfield.
- 6,000 dwellings planned, plus 25 hectares of industrial development
- Would this excessive development destroy the country life you now enjoy?
- Is it what you want for your family's children?
- Do you want to see our villages turned into a town larger than Epping
Some other issues of concern are:-
- Congestion on our roads - Not only the motorways but also local roads that frequently have to absorb traffic from the motorways when they are grid locked
- Flooding - Has been a major issue in the villages of Thornwood and North Weald with four major floods in the past thirty years
- Water and Sewage - Would need further upgrading or replacing to cope which major development
- Community services - Such as schools, hospitals, doctors surgery's, emergency services, utilities, general communication and the infrastructure which are at present over stretched would not cope with the additional vast numbers planned for the north weald area
- Public Transportation - Which at present is appalling to non-existent, would also suffer. The central line tube trains would definitely be unable to service any additional passengers to local stations down the line and the increased London commuters
- London Overspill - Is our countryside and rural way of life to be sacrificed for 'their' needs?
The community needs to continue to act together, harnessing local knowledge and skills to ensure everyone is made aware of what is happening and make certain their voice is heard.
Meetings with presentations and support material were arranged throughout the parish giving all parishioners the opportunity to clarify in their own minds what exactly is intended for our area.
These were arranged by the North Weald Basset Parish Council and supported by the Bassett Community Action Group. We are also working closely with the North Weald Airfield Users Group.
The BCAG has like-minded members who have committed themselves to helping the community. During February they visited every household in the Parish and gave considerable assistance to many. Thanks for all the hard work was given by the majority of the residents.