15 January 2016
Wellesbourne Airfield is facing a battle to survive after businesses based there were sent letters by the landowner saying the airfield will close on 24 December 2016.
However, all is not lost. The airfield has the support of both Stratford District Council (SDC) and the local parish council as well as local residents. Well known motoring journalist Quentin Willson, who lives close by and is a regular visitor to the airfield cafe, has also joined the campaign to save the airfield.
The Littler family which owns the airfield has told resident businesses to leave by the end of 2016. The family is working with property consultants Gladman Developments to build 1500 houses on the site.
A statement by the solicitor acting for the Littler family said, “We can confirm that we have decided to allow the lease of Wellesbourne Airfield to the airfield operator, Radarmoor Limited, to expire at the end of December 2016. As a consequence use of the land as an airfield will end when Radarmoor gives up possession. In line with our duties as a responsible landowner we have given a year’s notice to the businesses that operate on Wellesbourne Airfield, in order to allow a substantial time period for these businesses to find suitable alternative premises before the end of the lease.”
SDC said it would not grant planning permission and that existing plans for housing in Wellesbourne are sufficent. Wellesbourne Airfield is in SDC’s Local Plan Core Strategy document dated June 2015. The council’s objectives include, “Retain and support the enhancement of the established flying functions and aviation related facilities at Wellesbourne Airfield”.
Wellesbourne has several flight training businesses on the airfield, and its café is much loved by both air and ground visitors. RAF Vulcan bomber XM655 is a non-flying exhibit based there. In 2015, Wellesbourne won the AOPA ‘Airfield of the Year’ award. One of the country’s largest open-air markets also takes place there every week.
