Agenda item

The application before members was for permission to provide a building and outdoor area to provide light aircraft storage and included the demolition of some existing lawful buildings on the site.

During the debate members discussed the substantial growth that had taken place on the site in the recent years and recent planning enforcement action that had been taken against the site owners.

Members also sought clarification of the current situation regarding enforcement action and clarified the number of aircraft that would be stored on the site.

Officers advised that were planning permission granted it would allow the storage of up to fifty planes at the site then the site would benefit from unrestricted take offs and landings.

Officers also confirmed that the Planning Inspectorate had previously agreed that the operation and noise of the airfield did not impact on the surrounding highway.

Members also mentioned the noise that was created by micro-light aircraft using the airfield and asked that all references to aircraft in the legal agreement to include Micro-lights. Member inquired as to the basis for increasing the numbers of light aircraft from the limit of 15 set in the Certificate of Lawful Existing Use and Development to 50. Officers explained that there was no control iunder the said Certificate on the number of take-offs and landings.

Members noted that the proposed development would be liable for a Mayoral CIL payment of up to £10,800 and it was RESOLVED that the proposal was unacceptable as it stood but would be acceptable subject to the applicant entering into a Legal Agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended), to secure the following:

• That the aerodrome use of the land be limited to use by light aircraft, save for the use by helicopters and airships as defined and limited within the Legal Agreement.

• Helicopters Movements – That there will be no more than 5 helicopter movements (movements to be defined as one in, one out) in any week (Monday-Sunday).

• Airship Movements – That there will be no more than 65 airship movements in any calendar year. That a log be kept of all airship movements.

• The above not to apply when temporary events that are taking place as permitted development in accordance with Part 4 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995, or any enactment superseding or replacing that order with similar provisions.

• To set up and run a consultative committee whose remit would be to bring to the attention of the aerodrome operators any current issues in relation to the aerodrome and to instigate a complaints policy agreed between the consultative committee and the aerodrome operators

That Staff be authorised to enter into a legal agreement to secure the above and upon completion of that agreement, grant planning permission subject to the conditions as set out in the report and subject to:

·         All references to “light aircraft” to include “micro-lights”

·         Amend condition 4 to include the overnight parking of helicopters

The vote for the resolution was carried by 8 votes to 2 with 1 abstention.

Councillors Hawthorn and Ower voted against the resolution to grant planning permission.

Councillor Webb abstained from voting.