8 March 2016
It’s almost unbelievable that a private airstrip with a hard runway should come up for sale in the south of England but Lec Airfield, just north of Bognor Regis, is on the market.
The airfield is sandwiched between a retail park and Bognor golf course and appears to be in reasonable condition. Bognor Regis Gliding Club operates from the airfield.
There is a drawback of course. The land has been identified by Arun District Council as a strategic site for mixed employment use.
It has been put up for sale by owners Sime Darby London. “SDLL has made the decision to sell the site to hand over custody to others who will be able to take this important project forward and realise the aspirations of the local community,” said Roaf Daud, spokesman for the company.
The airfield is being marketed through Goadsby. Bidders have until midday on 1 April to submit expressions of interest. The marketing details say, “It is considered suitable for a mix of business accommodation for advanced manufacturers, warehouses, offices and small business/studio units.”
Bognor’s biggest company, Lec Refrigeration, laid out a grass airfield for light aircraft on fields behind its factory in 1946. Lec operated various aircraft over the years to visit overseas agents and customers. The aircraft included:
An Avro Anson was bought in 1957 as a flying showroom for the company’s fridges and freezers.
It was operated by the owner of Lec, Charles Purley. His son, David, was an F1 driver in the 1970s and best known for being awarded the George Medal for bravery. He attempted to rescue fellow racer Roger Williamson whose car had overturned and was on fire. David was also a pilot and killed in a crash in his aerobatic Pitts Special.
