Panshanger Airfield

[David Broom]

As some of you may know, Panshanger Airfield has been under threat of housing development for some time. However, it was with some surprise that I received the following email from the flying club last week:

It is with great sadness that we have had to produce this special release about the Aerodrome closure in September.
Key highlights are as follows:
- Panshanger Aerodrome will be operation up until Saturday 20th September 2014
- Young Aviators Day to go ahead on Friday 1st August
- Students, please arrange a one to one with your instructor to discuss the continuation of your studies.
- Voucher holders, please get in touch to book in a date if you have not already.
- Let’s make the last Panshanger Revival Day on Sunday 10th August 2014 a good one!
- Don’t miss the last event, our Aerobatic Day on Sunday 14th September 2014
- Thank you to the Somers Family for the use of the airfield for over the last 20 years
We hope you will make use of the Aerodrome up until the last day of operation.

A bit of searching revealed further information ( see http://www.savepanshanger.co.uk/ ) .

So it appears that the investment company who control the lease of the airfield to the flying club will not renew it. Perhaps the thinking is that if there is not an airfield operator there anymore it becomes a disused brownfield site, ripe for the development that is being sought. A seemingly underhand way of going about things if that is the case.

David Broom

[James Chan]

This is a real shame.

Is there a legal mechanism, similar to residential property, where the lease can be extended?

Or has the golden number of 80 years remaining on the lease been breached such that the costs are too enormous to meet?

[David Broom]

I know there are on line petitions for almost everything nowadays but please take a few moments to sign the one at:
http://www.panshangerpetition.uk

This has been set up by Councillor Darren Bennett, the lead member for sports in the Panshanger Ward. He, along with fellow councillor Sarah Johnston are both very much in favour of saving Panshanger Airfield so any support we can give them in fighting the corner within the local council must be worthwhile.

Please also spread the word far and wide amongst others who may not be blessed with the benefits of LAA membership.