23 March 2018
Pilots and anyone interested in keeping a strong network of General Aviation airfields around the UK are being urged to respond to the latest government consultation on planning policy.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on General Aviation is calling on everyone who wants to see a thriving UK General Aviation sector to respond en-masse to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) consultation by proposing four further small amendments.
The APPG says these minor tweaks are “absolutely essential” to protect and enhance the UK’s General Aviation sector, which is worth £3bn to the economy, directly employs 38,000 people in high-tech jobs and forms the basis of the far wider £60bn+ aviation sector.
Chair of the 148-strong parliamentary group, Grant Shapps MP, said: “Whilst it’s great to have General Aviation recognised in the National Planning Policy Framework for the very first time, this won’t solve the problem of a diminishing airfield network.
“If we are to maintain and enhance our position and deliver the government’s own stated objective of being the best country in the world for General Aviation, then the NPPF needs to make four further small changes.
“That is why I have written to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, The Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP, asking for four simple amendments that would make all the difference.
“Ministers do recognise that the future of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) jobs are at stake. This consultation provides General Aviation’s chance to make sure we get this right as a nation for future generations. Now we need everyone who cares about General Aviation to take a couple of minutes to respond.”
The APPG is asking all parts of the General Aviation community to back the proposed amendments by visiting www.generalaviationappg.uk/nppf today. The whole process takes less than 60-seconds, but could keep General Aviation vibrant for future generations.
The consultation closes on 10 May 2018.
The proposed amendments seek to protect and enhance airfields, align airfields with other venues when it comes to recognising their existence, and align airfields with land used for agriculture or forestry.
They would also add this definition of General Aviation airfields: “Licenced or unlicenced aerodromes with hard or grass runways often with extensive areas of open land related to aviation activity. Airfields form part of the national transport infrastructure. Changes in technology will require aerodromes to adapt and change over time.”
All Party Parliamentary Group on General Aviation
15 comments
I support the 4 amendments proposed by the APPG on GA re the NPPF consultation.
Ged Clarke
I support the 4 amendments proposed by the APPG on GA re the NPPF consultation.
Neels Kriek
I too support these 4 amendments and hope that their inclusion in the NPPF will halt and reverse the decline in General Aviation facilities that is occurring.
I support the 4 amendments proposed by the APPG on GA re the NPPF consultation.
Ralph Chesters
Sent. I hope it helps
General Aviation (GA) is under siege due to the closure of aerodromes around the country, mostly for development. A stand needs to be taken as otherwise we will be losing a resource that can never be reinstated. So I support the 4 amendments proposed by the APPG on GA re the NPPF consultation so future generations will have the same opportunities in aviation that I have enjoyed.
General Aviation (GA) is under siege due to the closure of aerodromes around the country, mostly for development. A stand needs to be taken as otherwise we will be losing a resource that can never be reinstated. So I thoroughly support the 4 amendments proposed by the APPG on GA re the NPPF consultation so future generations will have the same opportunities in aviation that I have enjoyed.
Retired BA Captain
I support the proposed four amendments which make a great deal of sense.
I support the proposed four amendments which make a great deal of sense.
The above states “The consultation closes on 10 May 2017.” 2017 ???