Pilots should stick to things they know.....Running airports is not one of them. Not knowing the reasons for the rules/practices does not mean they are invalid.
Anyway, I think the Council has bigger (too big) ambitions for the airport and this is part of the problem. They don't seem to think that the City will be of any worth if it's not got an airport.
I notice that all the land around the airport has been pencilled in for housing. That adds another twig to the fire....The latest people interested in the airport at least seem to have a grasp of the realities and their plans look workable. Once DD is done and if they proceed, then surely that is the time to discuss what is and what isn't.