The Goose and the Common is an 18th century protest rhyme about the social injustice of the Enclosures Act, land rights and the privatisation of common land. We felt it was the perfect song to highlight the injustice of Bristol Airport Limited’s (BAL) proposed land-grab of Felton Common, a 100 acre nature reserve and SNCI (Site of Nature Conservation Interest), with Scheduled Ancient Monuments including neolithic and bronze age barrows and a site of national importance. It is an open access community space, home to a valuable and diverse range of flora and fauna, including several endangered species.

In order to land larger planes by extending its runway, BAL is proposing to install rows of new landing lights 240 m across the centre of Felton Common. Rising to a height of 8.5m and with associated 3m high fencing, this would turn a rural landscape into an industrial one. 

The designated area is home to a healthy population of Skylarks (on the Red List of Threatened Species) as well as other important animals, plants and fungi.  The proposed development would permanently destroy this valuable and increasingly rare habitat, cause excessive light pollution and bring many other devastating effects to the common.

BAL propose increasing passenger numbers to 15million per year, a nearly 40% increase compared to 2025, bringing more flights, particularly at night, more traffic congestion and more pollution. Once the airport takes some of this common land, it will be far easier for them to take more and more for themselves. We cannot let this happen. Even BAL admits in its own report that “Damage to the greenbelt will be moderate to significant”.

We must stop this corporate land grab!

All performers, professional musicians and producers who worked on this recording and music video gave their time for free. Most of us are local to the common and we are continually affected by the ever-expanding sprawl of Bristol Airport.