Buying and re-instating a disused airfield

[Mungo5]

Hello folks..

Does anyone have any experience of buying and/or re-instating disused airfields in the UK?

Or perhaps establishing something as a 'farm strip' with a view to making it more permanent?

I have a hair-brained idea that I'm researching and would welcome PMs on the subject. Also keen to hear from anyone who owns/runs a GA airfield or Farm Strip.

Thanks in advance,
M5

[vanHorck]

M5

Check your PM's

[IO540]

There have been multiple threads on this here.

Most people start a farm strip under the 28 day rule.

Then, after 10 years, you can apply for a permanent permission which is based on the movements that have actually taken place (you have to keep a log).

Starting one from scratch is extremely rare. I looked into it some years ago and the advice I got from a planning consultant (who I have used for a "difficult" house extension job and believe to be very competent) is that it is possible but has virtually never been attempted so there is little knowledge around. The budget needed would be about £100k for the planning app, which is not a problem if you are successful. However, this planning consultant works by doing under the table deals with councillors, to get one app approved in return for modifying or dropping another, more controversial, one (which the client doesn't actually want, but they don't know that) and this is the most effective method of working the local govt machinery. For an airfield project which is sure to have total opposition, you would need an aggressive (and clever - a rare combination) type and take it all the way to a DoE hearing with a QC.

[Whopity]

Why not talk to the owners of Derby Aerodrome, they ressurected that from nothing when a car factory was built on their previous wartime airfield.

[Croqueteer]

540, It's only 4 years for "Established use"

[SlipSlider]

CLEUD

Regrettably not so. Change of use for land (ie an airstrip) is 10 years. The 4 years relates only to very specific construction / change of use criteria for buildings.

[ei-flyer]

Why not talk to the owners of Derby Aerodrome, they ressurected that from nothing when a car factory was built on their previous wartime airfield.

Because you are likely to be chased straight back down the track to the main road by a small group of incestrious rednecks carrying pitchforks and crying "Stranger!!!".


.....

[Mungo5]

Because you are likely to be chased straight back down the track to the main road by a small group of incestrious rednecks carrying pitchforks and crying "Stranger!!!".

LOL.. that's my concern in any part of the UK.. especially with disused airfields. The status quo will have been a reasonably quiet airspace around that area, and here comes a stranger wanting to open peoples back gardens up to all sorts of new-fangled flying contraptions.

I can see the daily mail headline now.. !!

Thanks all for the PMs.. this is certainly a special situation, where NIMBYism is bound to be the silent enemy.

[IO540]

Presumably if you go for a full PP from the outset, and remain within the terms of the PP, there is nothing anybody can do to stop you afterwards.

[ei-flyer]

Mungo5, my comment was directed more toward the calibre of person found frequenting Derby airfield on a day to day basis, persuant to their ambitions of continuing the little prehistoric clan they have going on there.

Fantastic neighborhood, shame about some of the peeps there. Miserable, interbreeding lot

But yes, the same could be said for many of the local villagers who don't want a flying pocket rocket buzzing their rooftops every half hour. The difficulty is in the education, I think you will find. Many country folk don't want to give you the time of day for it, and would rather stay ignorant. Tickle their personal interests in some way, however, and you'll have a better argument when it comes to petition time.

Try to become that new guy who enjoys the peace and tranquility as much as the next man, get to know the people who may decide the fate of your endeavour. Endear them to the idea, be honest about your plans. Become known for being reliable.

[Rod1]

I think there is an ex RAF airfield on the coast of Wales which has recently been closed has multiple long runways in very good condition plus support buildings which would make a very nice GA project…

Rod1

[chevvron]

To buy an airfield you would need LOTs of money in order to outbid the property developers. and even if you managed that, planning permission might not e forthcoming.

[jxc]

if it has already been an Airfield then surely it has PP ?

[IO540]

You will never outbid a property shark IF there is existing or likely PP for houses.

It all hangs on the local council policy on whether to allow houses or a trading estate there. OK, a policy can always change and this is what the developers bank on.