In Europe there are several residential Airparks Europe..mostly in France but also in Sweden, Germany, Portugal, Eastern Europe and one being developed in Turkey...The Spanish one in Murcia has a huge hard runway but only 2 houses and one of those is now derelict.
Helicopter instructor & Ryanair pilot Tony Corr developed an Airpark on the French side of the Pyrenees at Mingot near Rabastens and he was partially responsible for my interest in researching about airparks.
My recent MSc dissertation "European Residential Airparks in the context of local sustainable rural development" looked at the environmental, social and economic impacts that an Airpark could/would/does have on neighbouring local communities.
Research findings concluded there were/are social and both short and long term economic benefits and even some beneficial environmental impacts from GA, for communities that have a residential airpark in their vicinity.
I met some fantastic people living on some of these European Airparks, and who I am lucky to now call friends. I also got to fly in some super planes and spend an hour doing T&G's on Lake Biscarrosse in an amphibian Piper Cub.
There have so far been 3 UK airpark planning applications that have already failed. But my findings were helpful to Gravity Park (Belgium's 1st Airpark)in gaining planning permission. So who knows may help to establish one here too.
I am also a PPL(A) and currently fly a C150 out of Gloucestershire Airport (EGBJ).
Last edited by Jude098; 29th May 2013 at 00:34.