The main drawback at North Weald is the fact that it is owned and managed by the local council. Aviation is not their core business and they haven't got a clue how to run an airport. They are more interested in running model aero clubs on the main runway and telling real aircraft to bugger off so that they can demonstrate to Joe public that this is a great "leisure" facility for local council tax payers.....actually it isn't and the council should sell it and concentrate on providing real services that are desperately needed like decent bin collections and swimming pools etc.
The money that the council spends to keep open an airport that they don't want is unethical (no shortage of pick up trucks to jolly around in but no chance that we could clear a few inches of snow).
Yes a private FBO should buy this great airfield and get it running the way that it could and should be run !!