Old Sarum Airfield owner extremely disappointed with planning decision

Thursday, 15 August 2024 13:07

Grenville Hodge, director of Old Sarum Airfield, has responded after Wiltshire Council's Strategic Planning Committee unanimously refused the latest planning application for the airfield.

The decision was handed down yesterday, Wednesday 14th August, at a meeting in Trowbridge.

Grenville Hodge said: “Old Sarum Airfield are extremely disappointed that Wiltshire Council has refused this application.

"Despite receiving support from Historic England and Natural England for the proposals, which provide a long term viable solution for the airfield whilst safeguarding the WW1 heritage assets and provide much needed housing, the council has decided to refuse our application.

"As part of the application, we were prepared for the council to impose restrictions on our current unrestricted aircraft activity and noise at the airfield for the benefit of the thousands of residents who surround the airfield, however this decision will now significantly impact the lives of local people.
Additionally, it seems contradictory that Wiltshire Council are using heritage concerns as grounds for refusal when the national heritage experts Historic England* clearly support the proposals.

"Over the last 2 years, Old Sarum Airfield and our team of professionals have worked tirelessly to bring forward the highest quality proposals possible to secure the future of the airfield as an active flying hub, provide new housing, make highways, ecological and connectivity improvements and benefits as well as enhance and protect the heritage assets. We have engaged with Wiltshire Council in good faith but have found the local authority to be unresponsive and obstructive over many issues.

"It is no wonder that Wiltshire Council rank 301 out of 318 for planning performance in the recent Oflog** league tables, putting them in the lowest 5% of local authorities in England.

"We will now study the refusal and look at our options.”