Friday, 13 October 2023

Mineral extraction scheme causes birdstrike concerns at RAF Fairford

We have previously posted about RAF Fairford and the threat of birdstrikes from nearby mineral works.


No wonder the MOD expressed concern over a nearby quarry proposal 21/0032/CWMAJM at the former RAF airfield at Down Ampney in the Cotswolds, 3 miles south west of RAF Fairford. 


The development proposed entails the stripping of topsoil, the extraction, working and storage of minerals, and the phased restoration of the site. 
Each of these activities have the potential to create an environment that would be attractive to those large and/or flocking bird species hazardous to aviation safety. 

The applicant has acknowledged that aircraft passing close to the application site, approaching or departing RAF Fairford, are likely to be at altitudes of less than 1,000ft above ground level and would be within the range of altitudes where 90% of birdstrike events take place. 

The applicant and the MOD have conducted pre-application discussions. Through these discussions the MOD has made clear that restoration of the site which results in the creation of open water would be unacceptable as those waterbodies would likely provide an environment attractive to those large and/or flocking bird species hazardous to aviation.
Despite the MOD's concerns, officers recommended approving the scheme, to extract 6.5 million tonnes of sand and gravel over 13 years with a phased restoration scheme using imported infill, and, last month, the proposal was given the green light by Gloucestershire County Council, 9 votes for, 2 against – subject to the prior completion of a S106 planning obligation to secure the implementation of a Wildlife Hazard Management Plan. 

Here in East Devon, aircraft also fly less than 1000 ft above Straitgate Farm on their landing descent to Exeter Airport.


For Aggregate Industries' scheme at Straitgate, a Wildlife Hazard Management Plan was also stipulated, with planning inspectors conditioning that: 
Of course, where Straitgate differs to the Cotswolds scheme is that restoration will not involve imported infill; Aggregate Industries will just dig a hole, and leave it. 

We have previously posted – given that water bodies are intended at Straitgate – that Aggregate Industries’ plans for the site are incompatible with the Inspectors’ planning conditions. 

This is even more concerning given the scale of Aggregate Industries’ (unintended) ponding problem at the company's nearby quarry at Hillhead.
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