Enstone Airfield faces runway closure
PUBLISHED: 13:00 25 May 2011 | UPDATED: 14:03 10 October 2012

The plan for the Enstone development
Enstone Airfield is currently battling a planning application which would lead to the closure of its main runway.
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Enstone Airfield is currently battling a planning
application which would lead to the closure of its main runway.
The airfield is situated on land owned by Jersey-based
company Lomand Holdings, whose sister company Leven Holdings owns much of the
industrial land to the south and east of Enstone’s runways. If the application
was granted, the proposed development would span its main runway – and Enstone
Airfield says it would be forced to close.
In the planning application, which is lodged with West
Oxfordshire District Council, Lomand Holdings states that the development would
have minimal on the airfield and its clubs: “Although the proposed development
involves a middle section of the main runway it should not affect the flying
rights of the Clubs that operate from within the Great Tew Estate or from the
established grass strip north of the main runway.”
Paul Fowler, of Enstone Flying Club, says “It is clear to
all that the positioning of this development is designed to close the main
runway. Having achieved this, the airfield will no longer be classed as an airfield,
allowing it to be developed further.” He attributes the application to a
“cunning plan” on Lomand’s part: “They are unlikely to actually do any actual
building, but planning consent is all they need to sell the site on to a
developer.”
Enstone is home to four flying clubs – all of which will be
affected by the plans if they are successful. The airfield, which is renowned
for its friendly welcome and central location, is fighting the plans – and is
appealing for the UK’s GA pilots to support its cause. Objection emails should
be sent as soon as possible to planning@westoxon.gov.uk.
The planners are only interested in planning/safety issues (not emotional pleas),
for example: the loss of a nationally important airfield and one of the last GA
airfields of its type left in Oxfordshire; the safety issues relating to the
structures located on the centre line and next to active runways.
To see the full proposal, visit
http://planning.westoxon.gov.uk/MVM/Online/PL/ApplicationSearch.aspx
(application no. 11/0607/P/OP)
The area marked in blue on the above map is owned by Lomand
Holdings. Leven Holdings owns much of the site to the south and east of the
runways. Enstone Airfield authorities have identified at least three
alternative positions for the development (three of which are marked here in
red)