As previously noted on the Britarch list - and more recently covered in the media - the government is consulting on the future of air transport in the UK. The government's review is being undertaken by the Department for Transport and is intended to allow interested individuals and organisations to comment upon the government's policy proposals (as set out at in the numerous and lengthy consultation documents available at http://www.aviation.dft.gov.uk/consult/airconsult/index.htm). The consultation ends on 30th November 2002. A White Paper will be published in due course - probably early next year - which will then set out the policy for development of air transport for the next 30 years.
The Council for British Archaeology has compiled an overview of all the designated archaeological and historic sites, buildings and landscapes likely to affected by the various options for airport development and expansion. Hopefully this will be of assistance to organisations and individuals in understanding the overall scope of the consultation and the possible impacts on the historic environment. It should be said though that our synthesis is intended only as an introduction to the consultation and brings together historic environment information which the government has itself provided - albeit scattered widley through various parts of the Department for Transport consultation documents. You can access our synthesis at:
http://www.britarch.ac.uk/conserve/airports
Non-designated historic buildings, archaeological sites and monuments - including previously undiscovered archaeological remains, or assets of archaeological and historic interest whose value has not previously been appreciated - will very obviously be affected by airport development and expansion. These however are not discussed in the government's consultation documents, and no collation of information relating to such assets has been undertaken in compiling our synthesis. If anyone has collated more detailed information for any particular airport/s then we would be very glad to receive it.
Our synthesis is presented according to the structure of the Regional/National chapters of the consultation. I have listed the airports/sites under consideration below to help indicate the geographical scope of the consultation (which is perhaps broader than might have been conveyed through the media):
* Airports in South East and East of England - covering Cliffe, Luton, Stansted, Heathrow, Alconbury nr. Huntingdon, Gatwick, London City, Southampton, Norwich, Biggin Hill, Cambridge, Farnborough, Lydd, Manston, Shoreham, Southend
* South West of England Airports - covering Bournemouth, Bristol, Exeter, Newquay, Plymouth, Possible New South-West Airport at Pilning, Filton, Penzance (Heliport), Newquay, Lands End (St Just), Gloucester Staverton and Isles of Scilly airfields at Tresco & St Marys'
* English East Midlands & West Midlands Airports - covering Birmingham, East Midlands, Possible New Airport Between Coventry and Rugby
*Airports in North-West and North-East of England & Yorkshire and Humberside - covering Liverpool, Leeds Bradford, Manchester, Blackpool, Carlisle, Sheffield, Humberside, Potential New Airport at RAF Finningley (Doncaster), Teeside, Newcastle
* Airports in Wales - covering Cardiff, Caernarfon, RAF Valley, Mona, Hawarden (Chester), Haverfordwest (Withybush), Pembery, Aberporth, West Mid-Wales (prob. new airfield at Aberystwyth)
* Airports in Scotland - covering Edinburgh, Glasgow, Prestwick, Aberdeen, Inverness, Dundee, Potential New Airport in Central Scotland & 23 Highland and Island Airports
* Airports in Northern Ireland - Belfast City , Belfast International, City of Derry
The CBA intends to submit a response to the consultation.
Best wishes
Alex Hunt
Research and Conservation Officer
Council for British Archaeology
Bowes Morrell House
111 Walmgate
York
YO1 9WA
Tel: 01904 671417
Fax: 01904 671384
Web: http://www.britarch.ac.uk
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