Tatenhill Airfield (EGBM) - Planning Appeal!
BACKGROUND:
At a time when many airfields are being closed the pilots of East Staffs Flying Club were very pleased to hear that the owners of Tatenhill Airfield (EGBM) were looking to improve the facilities that are available.
Those of you that have visited Tatenhill will know that the current facilities are run down with the 'very friendly' club house consisting of a small Portakabin and the administration also being in prefabricated buildings.
The landowner, working with the airfield operator (Tatenhill Aviation) and East Staffs Flying Club, have applied to the local council to knock down the current maintenance hangar, tower, admin buildings and other derelict buildings on site and replace them with a purpose built facility which will include a new tower, clubhouse, taxiway and eight hangars. These will be used for the existing maintenance and avionics business as well as providing somewhere for owners to keep their planes which, to date, have had to be left outside. The new taxiway will also mean that it will no longer be necessary to backtrack on the runway when the grass is muddy!
Since the application was submitted there were a number of inaccurate reports in the local press suggesting that these minor improvements, which merely redress years of underinvestment, will result in the airfield being used for passenger or freight operations despite the fact that there are no landing aids, and is too close to East Midlands to be financially viable. The owner and operator have tried to communicate that they are only seeking to improve the facilities for General Aviation. However, there have been a significant number of concerns raised by locals generated by this misinformation and the council seem minded to decline the application which is a pity as the airfield generally has good relations with its neighbours and there are minimal complaints.
CURRENT SITUATION:
The inital Planning submission was rejected by the Planning Committee.
However, after careful evaluation, the landowner has decided to appeal against this decision and we now have some time available in which we can generate some additional support to counter the misinformation that has been spread. We would therefore be grateful if you could write to the Planning Inspectorate to express your personal views and support for this application.
Every letter or will help to redress the balance so please spend a few minutes assisting us.
The letter (in triplicate please) would need to be sent, to arrive no later than 13 February, to:
Planning Inspectorate,
Room 3/18b,
Temple Quay House,
2 The Square,
Temple Quay,
Bristol,
BS1 6PN
Quoting their reference number APP/B3410/A/06/2031746/NWF.
I appreciate that this is a lot to ask in terms of effort required to write the letter but your support would be much appreciated.
Make a point to visit us soon - the runway has now been extended to 1190 metres. The cafe is open Friday-Sunday, also a 'free landing' voucher in one of the mags this month (January).
thanks
Mike