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Thames-side Treasures at Threat from Expanding Heathrow

Some of the UK’s most important palaces, gardens and open spaces are under threat from the proposed expansion of Heathrow Airport, the Thames Landscape Strategy warned today.

Under the proposed Government plans Heathrow would be massively expanded. A third runway would be constructed, a sixth terminal opened and the present runway alternation would cease. This would see flight numbers increase by more than 50% ending the current half day’s relief from aircraft noise. This has significant implications to both wildlife and people’s enjoyment of the historic parks and gardens clustered along the Thames – including Hampton Court Palace, Kew Gardens and Richmond Park as all are situated directly under the current or proposed flight paths in some cases just three miles away from the airport. Stretching between Hampton Court and Kew Gardens the 12mile length of the Thames contains more protected sites of historic, cultural and wildlife importance than almost anywhere else in the country – including the Kew World Heritage Site. Known as the ‘Arcadian Thames’ meaning ‘rural paradise’, this short stretch of river that meanders below Richmond Hill has a legacy of royal palaces, gardens and parks that collectively form the largest connected open space in the capital. Jason Debney, Director of the Thames Landscape Strategy explains ‘The proposed expansion of Heathrow would have a devastating impact on how we enjoy these riverside open spaces including some of the UK’s most visited tourist attractions. As custodians of the River Thames we always have to be on our guard, one step ahead of any given threat that could damage the river. Most of these things we can predict enabling us to manage the landscape in a way that it slowly adapts over time but short from issuing everyone ear muffs as they near the Thames how can we mitigate against constant and deafening plane noise?’.

The Thames Landscape Strategy warns that the current proposals put short term gain above that of the long-term impact Heathrow’s expansion would have on the Thames. As climate changes and southern England heats up, places to enjoy the great outdoors, get close to wildlife and escape the heat of the city are expected to be even more important than at present.

It is remarkable that so much countryside has survived to the present day within Europe’s largest city. Much of today’s open space was saved from being lost under housing development at the turn of C20th. Local people and many of the newly formed conservation movements such as The National Trust joined together in the ‘Great Indignation campaign’ of 1902 to fight-off the proposed development in order to protect the View from Richmond Hill. Their successful campaign is regarded as one of the first great environmental victories in the UK and established the principle that ordinary people have a right in the future development of private land. One hundred years later these open spaces are once again under threat from an expanding Heathrow and a new ‘Indignation’ campaign is needed to protect the parks, palaces and gardens for future generations to enjoy.

CONTACT

Jason Debney Director of the Thames Landscape Strategy

07761169343

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