IN THE EARLY 90s I WORKED WITH THE
SUSSEX WILDLIFE TRUST ON A PROJECT
TO RECORD AREAS UNDER THREAT OF
DEVELOPMENT AS A RESULT OF
GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS TO ENLARGE
LONDON'S AIRPORT CAPACITY. THIS WAS
KNOWN AS :

RUNWAY CAPACITY IN THE SOUTH EAST ( RUCATSE )...

...AND IS STILL ONGOING. THE AREAS RECORDED FOR THIS
PROJECT CONCERNED THE PLANNED EXTENSION OF GATWICK
AIRPORT. IF THIS IDEA WENT AHEAD 50,000 NEW HOMES
WERE TO BE BUILT IN THE SURROUNDING LOCALITIES. THE
EFFECT WOULD HAVE PUT ENORMOUS PRESSURES ON THE
EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURES OF MAN AND NATURE.

THE PROPOSED GATWICK EXTENSION WAS EVENTUALLY
HALTED BY A LATER GOVERNMENT ALTHOUGH PRESSURES
FOR HOUSING IN THE SOUTH EAST HAVEN'T STOPPED NEW
DEVELOPMENTS FROM SPRINGING UP WHICH IS GOOD NEWS
FOR DEVELOPERS , BUILDERS , ESTATE AGENTS , FARMERS AND
GOVERNMENTS.