Nimbyism hits base plans (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Nimbyism hits base plans

4:23pm Wednesday 2nd May 2012 in Letters

MY LETTER of February 12 regarding the Fairford Air Base was initiated by the local concern for enterprises providing jobs. However, an investigation using superior resources has resulted in the conclusion that there is no particular requirement for the kind of jobs the Base could provide (there would be a lot). It was much preferred that the status quo of an attractive seasonal holiday location/retirement area was the ideal conclusion, with the level and type of work as presently engendered. This meets the policy of the MoD in that the base will function on three days a year for charitable purposes and two weeks of NATO exercises.

The essential purpose of a forward base for US Forces has very remote potential for action and we are familiar with the activities of NATO. It would seem that Government policy, such as it is, wavers between a Thames estuary location or the further disruption around Heathrow with the devastation in the adjacent villages to provide a super-congested international airport with all the failings previously debated and economic capitulation to Frankfurt and C de Gaulle airports.

In a period of economic stringency when work could be provided and money accrue to the Exchequer the conclusion smacks of Nimbyism, locally, and financial inertia by the government.

ELLIS HOULT Fairford