From Carlisle News and Star:
Bid revealed to create airfield near Penrith
By Pamela McGowan
Last updated 10:37, Friday, 17 July 2009
A businessman has unveiled plans to establish an airfield near Penrith in a bid to bring aviation holiday-makers to the county. Stuart Burton, who owns Bracken Bank Lodge at Lazonby, has applied for planning permission to use an agricultural field for light aircraft, gliders and helicopters.
The 700-acre estate is already a popular base for adventure holidays, with activities including abseiling, rock climbing and survival courses. The estate has also been used to land aircraft, and the lodge has hosted flying, gyrocopter and paragliding tuition sessions.
But Mr Burton, himself an aviation enthusiast and trained pilot, believes there is more potential for the area.
He wants to use his land as a platform to develop Cumbria as an aviation holiday destination. He says the market for breaks like these is growing. He said: “People are doing this type of thing up and down the country and Cumbria is a wonderful place for it. You have the Lakes on your doorstep or you can fly across to Ireland, up the west coast or across the Pennines. We have a very good airfield close by at Carlisle for maintenance if you need it, but you can land here where everything is right on site or nearby.”
The plans – now with Eden Council – would not result in any physical development, such as installing runways. Mr Burton wants to formally change the use of the grass field into a dedicated airfield. He said the only impact would be an increase in air traffic, but said it was unlikely to cause any disturbance.
“We’ve had aviation going on here for many years but just on a low key basis. This ranges from people coming up by helicopter for shooting parties to a firm which specialises in paragliding for the disabled, which uses the estate from time to time,” he explained. “We don’t want to stand on anyone’s toes or do anything that would upset anyone. It would all happen on the estate so we wouldn’t be flying over anyone else’s buildings. We just want to promote Cumbria and promote aviation activities.”
Mr Burton already has good links with Carlisle Airport and says a training firm based there is keen to use his site so pilots can try grass landings. Despite the recession, his business at Bracken Bank Lodge appears to be going from strength to strength.
He said: “The idea is that people could come up to the area with a plane or gliders and either stay in our accommodation or accommodation locally. They would use local facilities and hopefully bring their families.”