10 November 2015
The government has attempted to make clear its planning policy regarding airfields after more than 17,000 UK pilots signed an online petition to protest.
Charles Henry, chairman of GAAC (General Aviation Awareness Council) which was behind the petition, said, “In view of the recent Government pronouncement that all Brownfield sites were to be earmarked for development, it represents a significant step to have a document confirming that Airfields should not normally be developed.
“It does show what the GA Community can achieve by working together to influence Government and this was emphasised by the ‘intervention’ by Sir Gerald Howarth on November 2nd, during debate on The Housing and Planning Bill making the same point, following a briefing from the GAAC.
“We are indebted to Sir Gerald and to Grant Shapps for representing the interests of all who fly and to all who signed the petition which lead to this Government response.
“The GAAC looks forward to working with the DCLG and others to ensure that the current policy relating to development on Airfields is better understood.”
Key phrases in the response:
Applications for the re-use or modernisation of airfields must be considered in the context of national policy. The National Planning Policy Framework, Planning Practice Guidance, the Aviation Policy Framework and the General Aviation Strategy acknowledge the significant contribution that aviation makes to economic growth across the country.
The National Planning Policy Framework encourages the effective use of land by re-using land that has been previously developed (brownfield land), provided that it is not of high environmental value. The Framework also makes clear that local plans should take account of the growth and role of airfields in serving business, leisure, training and emergency service needs.
Applications for planning permission to re-develop airfields must be determined in accordance with Local Plans, Neighbourhood Plans and the London Plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. The National Planning Policy Framework is a material consideration in planning decisions.
The final statement said, “We will work with the aviation sector to ensure the current policy relating to development on airfields is better understood.”
