Threat to Enstone Airfield

[Ian Melville]

Hi Gents,
Some of you may know, Enstone is under threat as a result of the refusal by the landlords to renew the lease to Oxfordshire Sport Flying who operate the airfield. Updates on the situation can be found in the news section on OSF's website http://www.enstoneaerodrome.co.uk but basically the landlords have also now submitted a planning application to put industrial units at right angles across the runway just to the west of the control tower. This would, of course, prevent any flying from Enstone.

Action is now required. Below is the text from an Email calling all to arms

you may be aware that a planning application has been submitted that would if successful permanently close the hard and grass runways that we currently use forever!!( see attached drawing of the developments location, red blocks are our suggested alternative locations) http://whmc.org.uk/Alternative_locations.pdf
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT TO DEFEAT THIS APPLICATION

here is how you can help to preserve this valuable and unique facility for generations to come.

send a letter/e-mail of objection to [email protected] by 30th May.

Please put the planning reference number both in the Subject line of your e-mail and in the body text of your e-mail

11/0607/P/OP

This is what Lomand Holdings are putting forward as support for their application

The leisure activities in the main involve recreational flying of light
aircraft and microlights, which has led to the further approval of
workshops and hangers on the north side of the airfield perimeter
and at the eastern end of the main runway within the Great Tew
Estate. Although the proposed development involves a middle
section of the main runway it should not affect the flying rights of the
Clubs that operate from within the Great Tew Estate or from the
established grass strip north of the main runway. The other
recreation activities that have been approved involve off-road motor
sport activities.

As you will know that having any kind of obstacle on an active runway is some what dangerous, plus the wind turbulence rotor off the buildings will effect all runways users.
By cutting the runway in half it would become unusable by aircraft, Lomand have done their home work and know well the consequences for YOU if they are successful.
Lomand and its sister company Leven holdings own most of the main runway and the industrial site, there are at least 3 alternative locations suitable for this proposal marked as red blocks. (see attached drawing)
I believe that their aim is to make the site more desirable for development by reducing the flying. Once this is achieved they will sell the site to a developer.
IMPORTANT
Please act NOW send an e-mail to [email protected] today if possible, use your social network to tell everyone that knows how much Enstone and flying means to you and me.
Get them to e-mail too, the more e-mails that are received the more weight the objection carries.

Remember ENSTONE needs YOU NOW so please act.

Thank you in advance for your support.

regards

Paul

[nigel henry]

PAUL two people have phone me today you have our votes ! things need to change Airfields are Airfields ! thats that ! why not go for change of use at Slimb

[nigel henry]

PAUL two people have phone me today you have our votes ! Things need to change Airfields are Airfields ! thats that ! Why not go for change of use at!!! Slimbridge Gloucestershire its only a few birds they won't mind if you build a toxic industrial estate in their pond ! Or perhaps Diana's last resting place it's only a stately home its ok! Build away fill in the moat make Diana's resting place a cesspit! perhaps a few industrial units at Heathrow! bit of short field work for the pilots could be good for for users! perhaps build the units in Tips or old industrial sites not runways ! idiot's just so they don't have to dig footings ! must be a Idiot company of mindless accountants

runways are heritage and important to the environment dont see them asking to fill in a canal or build in the north sea ! but a runway mmmmmmm cheap footings God how long before they build in my bottom !

[Ian Melville]

Thanks Nigel.
There is some protection to airfields in this document. I wish someone had seen sense to point supporters of the airfield to this document as it would have changed the wording of my response. Relevent bit extracted.

The Planning Policy Guidance PPG 13 Transport - Aviation

Plan B4. The white paper
A New Deal For Transport: Better For Everyone (CM 3950) announced the Governments intention to prepare a new UK airports policy looking some 30 years ahead and to develop this within the framework of the Governments sustainable development principles. It also announced the intention to bring forward new policies on civil aviation, and these will be brought together in a new Air Transport white paper.
B5. Planning Policy Guidance note 11 (Regional Planning) requires regional planning bodies to consider including in their regional transport strategy a strategic steer on the role and future development of airports in the region, in the light of national policy
24. Local planning authorities will need to consider:
1. the growth of regional airports: many are at a point where the introduction of new services is becoming increasingly attractive and where higher utilisation, and thus economies of scale, may be achieved. The New Deal for Transport encourages regional airport growth to cater for local demand where it is consistent with sustainable development
2. the role of small airports and airfields in serving business, recreational, training and emergency services needs. As demand for commercial air transport grows, this General Aviation may find access to larger airports increasingly restricted. General Aviation operators will therefore have to look to smaller airfields to provide facilities. In formulating their plan policies and proposals, and in determining planning applications, local authorities should take account of the economic, environmental, and social impacts of general aviation on local and regional economies
B6. Local planning authorities should consult the Department for Environment, Transport and the Regions’ Airports Policy Division on draft development plan policies and proposals relating to airports and airfields. In consultation with the Airports Policy Division, local authorities should:
1. identify and where appropriate protect sites and surface access routes, both existing and potential (including disused sites), which could help to enhance aviation infrastructure serving the regional and local area
2. avoid development at or close to an airport or airfield which is incompatible with any existing or potential aviation operations

[Ian Melville]

Paul Fowler has just returned from the planning committee meeting

I have just returned from from the planning meeting,some great news and a big thank you to everyone who wrote letters of objection. The planning application was refused unanimously

We will have to see how the land owners react.
Thanks chaps

[Nigel Hitchman]

Great News. That was quick I only sent in my objection last week and got an aknowledgement last Friday I think!