It's no great suprise, the last scheduled operator pulled out a couple of months ago. Most of the movements are provided by the police helicopter.
The orientation of the runways should have had no bearing on what type of aircraft operate there, several other UK airports have approach and climb out lanes which over fly populous areas and singes are still permitted to operate.
Ironically, single engined aircraft are (or were) permitted to do instrument training at the airport, but not touch down - whats' the difference?
No great charade by Peel either, they made a substantial investment in the place, and have always made it clear that as soon as planning permission for Finningly is granted they would close Sheffield, (officially the public enquiry results are due in March 2003, but more likely to be Sept 2002).
Any "loss" to general aviation by the percieved loss of an airfield they were virtually excluded from, will be hopefully replaced in the very near future by a fully operational international airport.
Peel has made it clear that they'll welcome all types of G/A, in addition to the considerable commercial traffic they antcipate at Finningly, and with all the space available at finningly, there's no reason why they shouldn't.
Anyway, like or not, Sheffield is going, and even if the owners don't close it, the constant movement from beneath (the spoil heap), will eat it eventually.
