How the group started...
In June 2003 one of our members visited the planning department to read the planning applications relating to Redlands with a view to objecting to the Skydiving activity which had been granted only temporary permission for the parachute plane until 31st August 2003. Temporary permission had been given for a two year evaluation period, however we discovered that this period was cut short at the request of the owners of Redlands, Mr. and Mrs Joe Smith, as the skydiving school wished to purchase equipment which had previously been hired.
Although a number of people had written to the planning department to complain, many others found that they had lost the opportunity to object due to curtailment of the evaluation period. Prior to full planning permission having been given there had been infrequent skydiving activity from Redlands. After full permission was granted this activity increased dramatically. The Hungarian Antonov bi-plane that had initially been used to provide a noise evaluation and the first flights was then replaced by two other light aircraft (Cessna�s). The first plane, due to foot and mouth restrictions, was unable to fly in part of the evaluation period.
Many of us felt that we had been denied our democratic right to object, and complained to the Local Government Ombudsman. The member concerned then contacted all those who had objected to planning permission and subsequently started to ask other people in the area if they were also troubled by the parachute plane. We discovered that we were not the only ones who were fed up with the plane noise. Since our group �Stop the Redlands Plane Campaign� was formed in August 2003 we have been busy investigating what we can do to end the plane flying in circles in the sky above us. The plane flies over a very wide area, and many communities are affected.
We gathered signatures for a petition to Swindon Borough Council asking them to discontinue planning permission for the Skydiving Centre at Redlands. This was presented to the full committee of Swindon Borough Council in November 2003 and discussion of our petition was deferred for further reports until the 21st September Committee meeting. This meeting is open to the public and those who wish to speak for up to 5 minutes can do so provided they contact the Clerk several days beforehand.
WHY?
Why waste all this effort to oppose something that has already been decided? Well, we simply cannot stand the noise any longer and we are very fearful of increased activity from what is now candidly described in publicity as a 'rural airport' [see Wiltshire Business News, September 2003]. Until now, the plane has been flying mostly at weekends (and bank holidays) but there is no reason why it should not fly every day of the week and there is a clear intention to develop the airfield.
The disturbance from the parachute activity is at its most severe when the weather is at its best, which is when residents of the local communities wish to be in their gardens, or at least be able to open the windows in their houses. In a crowded country, we have all had to become used to more and more noise. However, the noise from this plane is of a different order to that of other aircraft overflying the area. Not only has the plane been taking off frequently and noisily (starting early in the morning, even on Sundays, and continuing until sunset) but the plane continues to drone as it climbs to attain height, then circulates as and after the parachutists have jumped. Then the plane lands and the whole process starts again. Two beautiful summers we have just experienced have been ruined for many people due to this asocial activity.
The need for farmers to diversify is well recognized but does diversification have to bring such a disturbance over such a wide area?
What you can do.... Register as a supporter, and/or offer to help (e-mail info@swindonpc.org.uk) Write to your M.P. (Julia Drown or Michael Wills) Write to local councillors (See Act Now! Page) Complain about noise (to the planning department, the noise abatement officer Mr. Ian Ashmore, and the Enforcement Officer Mr. Mike Brice)
Statement of Intent
Our campaign will consider all legal and democratic action necessary to achieve our objective of gaining discontinuance of the use of the skydiving plane.
1. This may include a campaign of publicity, lobbying, grass roots activities and legal action
2. Increasing public awareness of the issues in order to gain support
3. Making representations to Government departments, local authorities and other decision-makers and influencers
4. To conduct and commission inquiries and research to support the campaign
5. The building of partnerships with like-minded organizations
Copyright, 2003. Swindon Plane Campaign.