20 October 2025
The threat to Popham Airfield has stepped up with the local council now planning to build a total of 4,250 houses plus infrastructure including a school and solar farm on the site to be called Popham Garden Village.
It comes after Basingstoke and Deane District Council was told by the government to increase the number of houses it needs to build. As a result, the council is updating its local plan.
Worse, to justify building a new town on the airfield, the council now claims ‘Popham Airfield is not a significant part of the national network of general aviation airfields’.
That view is rejected by the Strategic Aerodrome Network which places the well-established Popham Airfield in Category A for ‘its geographical, aeronautical, recreational, emergency services and social value’.
Pilots and other who use and appreciate all that Popham Airfield has to offer are urged to contact one or all the councillors involved (see the Popham Airfield Matters website) to make sure they are aware of Popham Airfield’s value and importance to GA.
In its latest report (available here), Basingstoke and Deane Council says, “Whilst the Airfield makes a contribution to aviation in the wider area, it is not considered that it is such a significant part of the national network of general aviation airfields that its loss should be resisted.
“The loss of employment and community and sporting events associated with the Airfield are recognised but are not considered significant enough to justify the prevention of the loss of the Airfield.”
The Strategic Aerodrome Network (SAN) and local campaign group Popham Airfield Matters are working together to make the councillors realise just how much the airfield contributes to GA, not just locally but nationally and internationally.
Ann Bartaby of SAN told FLYER, “The Council continues to belittle Popham’s value in the national network as well as its function as a local recreation, aviation, employment and social centre.
“There are many other salient issues – such as pollution, access to public transport, costs of infrastructure – and we will be arguing its case on a broad front.”
The issues SAN believes most relevant:
Popham Airfield Matters said, “[The councillors] are obviously unaware of the significance of what Popham currently offers. Here’s a reminder, filmed at Popham’s 50th anniversary celebration this September:
“The council has yet to announce dates for its formal six-week consultation but there is no need to wait,” continued Popham Airfield Matters. “Tell councillors and local press now.”
