15 December 2020
A campaign has been launched to save Retford-Gamston Airport from being redeveloped as a motor industry test track for driverless cars.
Thatcham Research has put in a planning application with Bassetlaw District Council to convert the main runway into part of a test track and hangars 6-11 into a passive testing site for automated cars, which Thatcham deems ‘essential’.
“The type of testing requires a surface that is relatively flat, approximately 1.5km long and ideally the width of a standard motorway with the option for perpendicular junctions,” says Thatcham’s application.
“The physical characteristics of Gamston Airfield offers Thatcham Research an ideal setting to develop their testing facilities.”
Aerial view of Retford Gamston Airport by Drone Defence, a company based at Retford Gamston Airport.
The Save Retford-Gamston Airport Campaign Group is made up of users of the airport and small local businesses who rely on the airport for their livelihoods.
“We successfully campaigned to save the airport and associated local jobs from destruction at the hands of housing developers in 2019,” says the Group.
“We are now faced with another challenge and we need your support to help us pay for expert planning advice and legal support that will ensure the airport remains a vibrant centre for general aviation well into the future.”
The Group has launched a crowdfunding page to raise funds for the campaign here.
The Group says that converting hangars 6-11 “will lead to the displacement of nearly two-thirds of the based aircraft and will decimate aviation at the airport in exchange for a small amount of motor vehicle testing.”
Thatcham Research’s plan for Retford-Gamston Airport includes a test track on the main runway and taking over a large number of hangars
Thatcham’s plan means the main runway will only be available for ‘limited periods’ during the working week whilst vehicle testing takes place, making aviation almost impossible.
“Five thriving flying schools are now based at the site, continuing a long tradition of flying training to this day,” continues the campaign group.
“The airfield is equipped with a range of modern facilities that are not routinely available at similarly sized airports including pilot controlled lighting and a co-located navigation aids.
“The runways at Retford-Gamston are also long enough to accommodate light jet aircraft for business, charter operations and medical evacuation flights in addition to private flying and helicopter operations.
“Many hundreds of aircraft from around the UK and the rest of Europe regularly visit the airport because it provides vital transport links for businesses in Retford, Nottingham, Lincoln and the Sheffield City Region.
“In addition military aircraft primarily helicopters, occasionally use the airport facilities and royal helicopter flights frequently refuel at the airport.
“Following the closure of Sheffield City Airport, Retford-Gamston is now one of the only airports of its size in our region, serving the needs of the business aviation and flying training sectors.”
6 comments
Leave active airfields alone . There’s plenty of airfields which are disused with runways. Go and use one of those to play with your cars .
If Thatcham are so keen on developing these ridiculous machines that nobody asked for let them build their own damn site themselves and leave established businesses alone.
Totally agree Steve, leave our thriving GA airfields alone. Go build houses or play with your toy motor cars on disused airfields!
As your based down south,Gatwick airport is hardly used at the moment,and they are after new customers !!why not do your research where your are, not spoil our local airfields up north.
My fingers are firmly crossed that Thatcham close this airfield down. As a local I know that over many years the airfield has consistently been over developed against planning guidlines, by such allowing as helicopter training that was always previously banned and that planes frequently fly low and noisily over the local villages, ignoring the agreed flight paths and showing arrogant dis-regard for the local population. Complaints to the control tower are ignored or excused away. This airfied is not a good neighbour and I will be overjoyed to see it go. Thatcham will provide more jobs for locals anyway rather than rich outsiders coming for joyrides.
Why not use this?
Purpose designed for the job?
Someone should tell Grant Shapps.
https://zenzic.io/testbed-uk/