Sandown Airport under threat

[G-Atlast]

Plans are afoot to destroy Sandown Airport and cover it with yet more holiday accommodation, this at a time when existing Island tourist facilities are struggling to keep viable in our soggy summers.
Isle of Wight: Plans to turn Isle of Wight airport into high-quality leisure park (http://www.iwcp.co.uk/News/No_planes_in_draft_airport_scheme.aspx)

'No need for 2 GA airfields' was one of the comments. Bembridge is largely restricted to Britten-Norman traffic except at weekends I believe and should Sandown be covered in 'luxury holiday accommodation' I hardly think they'd be too keen to be overflown by traffic from Bembridge anyway! :\

[julian_storey]

If Sandown Airport were to be lost, it would be a very great shame indeed.

[Fright Level]

Could they move one of them to the other side of the island? It would be great to walk down to Alum Bay and that old fort they had on Coast. :}

Two great places, each with their own advantages, but still room for another rather than taking one away.

[Jodelman]

Bembridge is largely restricted to Britten-Norman traffic except at weekends

Really. Since when??

[G-Atlast]

Unfortunately the only plans in the offing for Sandown at the moment involve closing it completely and building an enormous butlins-like tourist park (oops - luxury holiday cabins) on the site. Isle of Wight: Airport plans on hold (http://www.iwcp.co.uk/News/Airport_plans_grounded_in_new_twist.aspx) covers the saga and refers to an article of a couple of weeks ago that originally discussed the 'holiday park' scheme.

Let's hope this does fall through - it would be a sad end for a beautiful airfield. :\

[G-Atlast]

There is a useful summary of the latest plans, along with many comments and objections at the following link, taken from Specialist Flying School's website

Isle of Wight Council - Island Plan Core Strategy - Core Strategy Options Consultation (http://iow-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/planning/cs/csoc?pointId=copy_301322_ID_391&do=view)

This link can also be used to submit new objections. :) I see one mentions the local wildlife, which is truly outstanding - it's the only place I have ever witnessed four hares running down the runway while I was taxiing!

[patowalker]

See item 822 and the responses

Planning Home - Island Plan Core Strategy - Core Strategy Options Consultation (http://tinyurl.com/qm35fh)

[rans6andrew]

Donald, the link you posted is US!

Andrew G-LEDE.

[Jofm5]

Planning Home - Island Plan Core Strategy - Core Strategy Options Consultation (http://iow-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/planning/cs/csoc?pointId=1216380726373#section-1216380726373) is what the tinyurl is pointing to - it works for me.

The section to look at is 8.222 not 22

[jayemm]

I visited Sandown IOW yesterday in the Warrior. Few visitors sadly, compared to the crowds before the fire.

I had heard a rumour that the grass strip was being dug up, which wasn't true. And I had read on here that developers are seeking to take over, which according to the gents in the tower also isn't true.

So I just wanted to let you know that Sandown is open for business and according to the crew in the tower, will be for a long time to come.

[Vino Collapso]

How were they operating the runway. I see, according to the NOTAMS, that runway 23 has a declared distance of 350 metres and runway 05 is unlicensed?

[jamestkirk]

Sorry, I am a bit out of the loop on this.

I went to Sandown alot due to instructing at Shoreham and loved it.

Just wondering if the cause of the fire was established.

[cessnapete]

Went to Sandown twice on last Thurs 2nd. Didn't notice any Notams before I took off. Runway was normal length, used both directions, The FISO did not mention any restrictions. All looked good to me.

[Jodelman]

How were they operating the runway. I see, according to the NOTAMS, that runway 23 has a declared distance of 350 metres and runway 05 is unlicensed?

No problem so long as you don't need a licenced airfield. The runway is as long as it always was. Politics!!!!

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

My wife and I visited Sandown last week (by car - we're not pilots unfortunately). Since we were there last year it seems to have gone down the pan a bit. Fewer aircraft than normal and, of course, what remained of the restaurant was just overgrown brick foundations with no sign of any restoration work. The little "cabin" snack bar was devoid of customers. Great shame and we hope it will rise again...

[grat]

I stayed at the camp site adjoining the airfield a couple of weeks ago. Luckily the weather was pleasant and there where quite a few aircraft movements over the weekend period :). On our last weekend a couple of tiger moths arrived. The plan was to have more but unfortunately the weather on the mainland scuppered attempts by some of the participants. One of the moths was G-ANEZ. They both provided a pleasant surprise and nice end to our holiday - thanks chaps :D.

Speaking to the woman who runs the cafe she said the airfield was split up and various sections owned by differnet people/organisations. Apparently Mr David Mellor (ex MP?) is in cahoots with a developer and wants to build houses. Maybe some second homes for MPs! :} There are also other plans to build a hotel/restuarant on the old cafe site. Guys in the tower are still adamant it will remain an airfield. Hopefully they are correct. All I can do is wish them luck with the airfield in the future.

[G-Atlast]

Comments regarding the Isle of Wight structure plan 'Core Strategy' close on December 10th 2010 at 16:30! If you wish to make any comments to help save Sandown then please follow the following link and specify 'airport' as the search term.

Isle of Wight Council - Search (http://iow-consult.limehouse.co.uk/common/search/search.jsp)

Despite what you may have read, Sandown is still operating at present, with an injunction in place to prevent the current owner ploughing up the runway!