Airport warns of ‘catastrophic’ goose threat from pond
A LARGE pond created a kilometre from an airport and designed to attract wildlife could cause a “catastrophe” if geese were to hit any of the planes, an aviation manager has warned.
Barnes Thomas, 37, an art dealer who appeared on The Island with Bear Grylls television show, dug out the area close to Land’s End airport, in Cornwall, which serves the Isles of Scilly, without planning permission two years ago.
The large pond, which residents say is the size of a lake, is about 1,300 sq metres (around 14,000 sq ft), is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the St Just District Cornish Mining World Heritage Site.
A retrospective application submitted by Mr Thomas will be discussed by Cornwall Council’s west sub-area planning committee on May 28.
More than 4,300 people have signed a petition calling for “the protection of the valley” and the removal of the lake, while there are over 80 public comments on the council’s planning portal, the majority of which are against the application.
Chris Pearson, manager at Land’s End airport, sent the council a photo of two geese a few metres from the runway last month.
He said: “The potential for the site to attract or support hazardous birds will directly impact on the likely presence of these species in and through critical airspace.
“The conclusion is very concerning for the airport which, along with all parties, is mandated to prevent any increased risk for aircraft however small. While the increased risk of a bird
strike may be small, the outcome of such an occurrence would potentially be catastrophic.” He warned that a Canada goose would cause severe damage if it hit a small aircraft, “possibly terminal damage”.
The town council of St Just in Penwith also objected, citing the lake’s “uncharacteristic appearance” and the “marked domestication of the valley”. It added: “Of particular concern are the reports that Canadian Geese are now present at the site.”
In a statement on behalf of Mr Thomas, Cornwall Planning Group said: “We are committed to creating a space that is not only functional and aesthetically pleasing, but also contributes to the health and wellbeing of the local ecosystem.
“The proposed development will promote biodiversity by soft and sustainable landscaping materials to reduce run-off and provide habitat for local wildlife.”
They added: “We believe that the details submitted clearly show that the site can be developed in a way that the locality will not be adversely affected. Indeed, there is a clear opportunity to provide a high-quality development to meet the needs of present and future generations.”
Mr Thomas says that what he terms a “pond” complements “the landscape and supports and encourages wildlife and migrating birds”.
“I have applied for retrospective planning permission for the pond, and have cooperated fully with Cornwall Council’s planning office. I await their decision,” the statement added.