EXCLUSIVE: Anger over airport activity day plans (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

EXCLUSIVE: Anger over airport activity day plans

9:00am Thursday 11th March 2010

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PLANS for a massive increase in the number of activity days at Cotswold Airport have been revealed.

At a recent meeting with officers from Cotswold district and Wiltshire councils, representatives from Coates, Kemble, Ewen, Crudwell, Oaksey, Ashley, Culkerton and Rodmarton were shown draft proposals to expand the site for non-aviation uses and events.

The documents, which were leaked to the Standard, revealed plans to expand non-flying activity days from 28 to 258 days a year to include corporate and promotional events, performance car testing and commercial filming.

Kemble resident Peter Burns said the change in status from airfield to airport had brought with it more developments that he called "a form of creeping expansion which the community have not been fully informed about".

"Any widening of the scope of activities at the site will add to local concerns which are already considerable," he added.

He was critical that no one from the airport attended the meeting, although a spokesman for CDC said any presence from Cotswold Airport would have "complicated the situation and prevented constructive discussion".

Representatives at the meeting were split on the plans.

One, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "I can’t see any economic benefits for the community but there are plenty of benefits for the airport.

"It’s not reasonable for the residents to be kept in the dark now the meeting’s taken place."

Roger Pettit, Kemble and Ewen Parish Council chairman, said he suspected the airfield and local authorities had been in secret discussions on the proposals for months.

"The parish council is greatly concerned about the secrecy surrounding all this and is keen to make sure that local people are properly informed about the extent of the proposals for hugely expanding activities and that they are given the opportunity to have their say," he said.

But Crudwell Parish Council’s Ian McKay was supportive and said: "We welcome the plans and hope some permanent jobs will be created so youngsters can stay in the village and start families."

Cotswold Airport manager Nick Howard said they had been in discussion with authorities because they want to continue "harmonious" relationships with neighbours, support the local community and enable local business growth.

"While everyone is entitled to their opinion, phrases such as "creeping expansion" are both misleading and unhelpful," he said.

"As an airport, we do all we can to engage with the public and keep them informed. We know from experience that the vast majority of people within the local community are very supportive."

He said they are happy to discuss matters directly with local residents.

A CDC spokesman said it was appropriate that the details were not yet in the public domain.

"For the time being, the details of the draft proposals need to be kept confidential," he said. "This is no fiendish plot; it is basically commonsense because nothing is set in stone yet, and it would be counter-productive to share unfinished proposals with the public at large."

To see a copy of the plans click on the link below

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