Snowdonia National Park - the perfect place for an airport?

National Parks - the last refuge from the roar and crunch of mechanised civilisation. Where packs of ramblers roam free over the heathered hills, and ne'er an engine is heard. Unless, of course, you're talking about Snowdonia National Park, where the Welsh Assembly Government have decided to develop a private airport.

Llanbedr airport was built in 1938 and until recently was a military airbase, but was sold off in 2006 to Kemble, who already run a private airfield in the Cotswolds. Because of planning loopholes, the airport can begin operations without public enquiry or scrutiny - despite the impact on the National Park and the climate.

"The airport would pose a threat to the environment and tourism, which is the number one employer in the area and we're very concerned about it," said Alun Pugh - a former culture minister - who is the Snowdonia Society's director. "Every year, thousands and thousands of people come to Snowdonia for peace and quiet - they don't want to hear aeroplanes buzzing overhead. They could go to Heathrow Terminal 5 for that."

The airport was given Crown Immunity when constructed, because of its military nature. Although decommisioned it has retained its special status, effectively giving the airport carte blanche to ruin the tranquility of the National Park without any inquiry into the environmental impact - despite the WAG having a statutory duty under the Environment Act of "conserving and enhancing the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage".

The Assembly's excuse is that the military airport had loads more flights than the private airfield would, which is a bit like excusing a fist-fight because it's not as bad as murder. Private jets are the most polluting form of travel available, and encouraging more of the dammed things is just pandering to the whims of the uber-rich. The Assembly needs to sort this nonsense out, and sharpish.