A rare absence of nimby-ism, perhaps?

That may well be true, but it sounds like "waiting for the disaster to happen before taking measures". That said, there is ample room for an emergency landing avoiding the rails, I have taken off from worse places.

It appears that a more laid back approach is taken by councils such as Wigan who granted permission for the airstrip on the basis of recreational use.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....679fcd862.jpeg

There are restrictions in place which limit the use.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....8490ef500.jpegThe most recent application was for hangars which was turned down on appeal last year.
That pretty much leaves a limited use strip with resident aircraft parked outside and the risk of vandalism.

Sorry Mike but this doesn’t come anywhere near the “madness” that underlines what is a very very sorry tale.

Madness certainly sums it up and frankly I would not want to fly from such a location let alone get involved in litigation.

Wigan is certainly not on my list of places to go before I die.

I suspect getting planning for anything around the site is a breeze compared to more desirable parts of the UK.

I'm referring to the situation at Ashcroft and its frankly worrying website /owner.

Kenyon Hall farm airstrip is no different to hundreds of similar landing grounds throughout the UK - I've flown there in many different types without any worries or problems...

A concern that a planning authority may have is: that the building can easily be adapted for manufacturing or commercial storage of goods and therefore the associated surrounding noise and road traffic. I don't see how an authority can object to buildings appropriate to the operation of an airfield; no more than should they object to a farmer building a barn. A hangar for light aircraft does not need to be obtrusive in height and can be of a colour appropriate to the surroundings

Hedge rows are popular with planners but they are not appropriate for surrounding an aerodrome. They are a nesting place for birds which are a hazard for aeroplanes.

If the airfield has been in use for over ten years without neighbour complaints then there are few objections that can be sustained now. Climb and approach paths can be detailed along with pilot emergency actions, provided to pilots, that will minimise any risks to neighbours.

That argument may work in a former heavily industrialised area such as Lancashire but will get you nowhere trying to establish or retain a grass strip and a couple of hangars in the south of England. Wealthy Nimby’s know how to mire councils in expensive planning disputes.

The recreational approach to farmland change of use is interesting but hasn’t helped Jeremy Clarkson in his well documented disputes.

Viewing this aviation spat from several thousand miles away I fail to see how it’s worth the angst.

Looks like the work of a Monty Python scriptwriter. Smile
And now, for something completely different.?

Ha ha...... says someone who has never been here. You do not know what you are missing !!! 😉😉

Wigan pier should be on your bucket list!

I have put in the bottom of the bucket😂😂