Planning problems at Kemble Airfield (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Planning problems at Kemble Airfield

BOSSES at Kemble Airfield are furious after council planners told them they need planning permission to keep using the airfield for flying activities.

Cotswold District Council has decided three sites on the popular airfield do not have the authority for flight training.

Planning leaders are also demanding a further three sites be investigated.

The controversial decision stems from the findings of CDC lawyer Joanna Clayton, who says the airfield is acting contrary to planning law.

She believes the historic function of the airfield "was for maintenance, repair and storage of aircraft, rather than a general flying station", and that current flying activities require the consent of the planning authority.

However, airfield manager David Young told the planning committee last Wednesday the lawyer's report is "factually incorrect".

He also told reporters after the meeting he fully expected councillors to "throw out" the report.

He said: "We will have to consider our position very carefully now.

"We are saddened and disappointed that CDC has been forced into an unnecessarily difficult position.

"The officer advice was fundamentally flawed and I am absolutely horrified about the waste of time and money this decision will bring about.

"I don't think at the end of the day this will change anything - it will simply involve Kemble businesses and CDC in the huge amount of work.

"This could end up in one huge legal battle and cost us an absolute fortune."

The campaign against flying activities at Kemble Airfield has been spearheaded by former RAF pilot John Gurney, who lives near the airfield.

He told the planning committee: "It is our opinion the uncontrolled development at Kemble is to the detriment of the amenities of local residents, regarding environmental health & safety issues, noise, smell, air pollution and vibration.

"This was never an issue when the MoD owned and controlled its own uses on its own land.

"Neither did we have to endure seven days a week operations from the MoD, as we do now under civilian ownership."

Three principal companies purchased Kemble Airfield from the MoD in 2001 - Iron Mountain, Kemble Air Estates Ltd and Rapid Racking.

Mr Young said: "I applauded the CDC decision to advice the new owners of Kemble Airfield in 2001 that planning was not required.

"The airfield at that point had been in existence for 65 years, mostly for storage and maintenance but also with a huge variety of flying operations going on, including flying training.

"We are also disappointed that a small minority, apparently led by a former RAF pilot, who chose to purchase his house under the flight path 30 years ago, could be putting at risk existing operations and employment opportunities at Kemble."