Our Local Environment

Whilst the future growth of the airport is vital to the economic wellbeing of the whole region, it’s equally important to balance this growth by minimising its impact on our beautiful rural landscape and environment.

Landscape Strategy
EMA's Landscape Strategy covers a range of initiatives aimed at integrating the airport site into the rural landscape and offering open access for the benefit of the local community.

Since 1999 almost 50,000 new trees have been planted around the perimeter. These complement the existing flora and fauna and enhance our environment. Ecological surveys carried out found areas of woodland spinneys, open scrub, hedgerows, grassland and water course. They also identified animals on site such as smooth newts, brown hares, common blue butterflies, bee orchids and birds ranging from skylarks to kestrels.

Airport Trail
One of the key initiatives of our landscape strategy is the Airport Trail. The Airport Trail consists of a six mile walk circling the airport site, through woodland, grassland and wildflower meadows. Work is continuing, but recent developments have included the introduction of interpretation boards detailing wildlife on the trail, picnic benches, tree planting and the development of artwork (in association with local primary schools and artists) as well as the installation of bat boxes and hedgehog hotels.

If you’re interested in using the Airport Trail you can download a map.