[Archives] Iron Maiden guitarist joins motorway services campaign

By bucksfreepress on March 21st 1998

ROCK guitarist Adrian Smith has joined a campaign to fight plans to build a motorway service station next to an ancient woodland.

Former Iron Maiden lead guitarist Mr Smith has sent a letter to Buckinghamshire County Council objecting to the plans.

He has also visited neighbours to inform them of the plans and whip up support for the campaign.

Total Oil UK plans to build a motorway service station off the M25 between junctions 16 and 17 at Chalfont St Peter.

Mr Smith, who played for the heavy metal rock band for ten years until 1990, said: "We are trying to bring up our children in the country and it will seriously affect our quality of life.

"The noise, smell and light pollution will be extremely harmful to everyone who lives around here.

"My three children are all aware of the plans and they are all clued up - they know these plans are a bad thing."

Campaign organiser, Penny Harris, of Slade Oak Lane, Chalfont St Peter, has posted leaflets to 300 residents urging them to write to Buckinghamshire County Council highways bosses to complain at the proposals.

The proposed site for the service station is next to Nockhill Wood, an area of ancient woodland.

Farmer Mrs Harris fears the development would drive wildlife out of the wood. She added: "I am absolutely delighted that Adrian has got involved to fight these proposals.

"If the service station is built, the noise, fumes and pollution will absolutely destroy our quality of life.

"The area is one of the last remaining areas of untouched natural beauty and to dump a huge petrol station right in the middle of it is absolutely criminal."

Jocelyne Bia, of Total Oil UK, said: "It's Total's policy to always act responsibly towards the environment and local communities.

"All interested parties will have an opportunity to voice their concerns about the development."

The deadline for comments on the application is today. A county council spokesman said: "We welcome any comments but it's far too early to say how much weight the campaign will have."

% Contact the Head of Planning, Environmental Services, County Hall, Aylesbury, telephone (01296) 395000

% Mrs Harris asks supporters of the campaign to call her on (01753) 886440

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