First of all I am not a aviator, however my home backs onto Daedalus Lee Airfield. I have lived here for over a decade and therefore have an active interest in the future of the airfield.
Back in August, I was invited to attend a SEEDA meeting, chaired by Clare Chester, and including the masterplanners and Solent Groundwork. At this meeting the future of the airfield was discussed especially the future of the SEEDA owned land (the area outside the horrible blue fence).
I asked about the possibility of developing the SEEDA area to accomodate private aircraft and the willingness of the CG/Hants Police to allow flights from their runways. Clare Chester's reply...
The Police (operating the airfield on CG behalf) do not want to see an increase in flights from the current circa 45,000 per year (are there really that many?) however if a suitable operator could be found to run the airfield, then they would hand over air traffic control to this operator and an increase in flights would be possible.
Asked if SEEDA were actively looking for such an operator ther was a "non specific reply"
It would therefore appear to me, as a local resident, that the future of private aviation at the site is down to you guys actively seeking a suitable operator/invester to run the airfield under licence, and to encourage further aviation industry to occupy the site.
As a slight O/T, I do not understand why the horrible ble fence disects the western taxi-way? This should be reopened to private aircraft.
Unfortunately I believe SEEDA and the CG/Hants Police already have an agenda, and the public consultations etc are purely a front to appear to have done the job correctly before building homes on a large area of the site.
I wish you guys luck in keeping the heritage of aviation at the Daedalus site.
Richard