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FIGHTING TO PRESERVE NORTH WEALD AIRFIELD FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS AND AS A LASTING MEMORIAL TO THOSE PAST.
Keep North Weald Flying | Create your badge
Click on the
above Twitter & Facebook banners for the most recent
posts and latest developments relating to
the future North Weald Airfield. See below
for older news and campaign history.
SEPTEMBER 2014 As of September 2014,
the situation relating to the future of
North Weald Airfield is as follows:
The
Airfield's Owners, Epping Forest
District Council, decided in August 2013
that there should be mixed development
of the land adjacent to the airfield (to
the East and also some of the land
within the airfield boundary), while
retaining aviation for the time being.
EFDC is now consulting on the nature and
extent of this development which it is
proposed should include both residential
and commercial aspects. NWAUG and other
supporters of the airfield believe that
any development close to or on the
airfield should be planned in such as
way that it is not in any way in
conflict with current or future aviation
operations and other leisure activities,
but should rather compliment these. We
believe aviation itself should be
promoted and the airfield licensed to
allow commercial operations, such as
business aviation and air taxis to
operate, thus helping the airfield
become more sustainable. Local people
have been consulted on how the village
of North Weald up to the boundaries of
the airfield could be shaped in future.
However very little information relating
to plans for developments on the
airfield itself has so far been made
public by EFDC or its consultants,
Savills. Meanwhile EFDC is considering
bringing in a 3rd party company to take
over the day to day operation of the
airfield, although it is proposed that
this only be on the basis of a 3-5 year
agreement, which still leaves a question
mark over the long term future of the
aerodrome as an active flying site.
North Weald Airfield Users Group, other
supporters of the airfield and local
residents groups are monitoring the
situation and pressing for early sight
of any plans and proposals so that we
can evaluate and comment on them as
appropriate. Please keep checking our
posts on social media for any new
developments.
AUGUST 2013 The recent decision
by Epping Forest District Council's
Cabinet Committee to retain aviation a
North Weald Airfield and only permit
housing and similar developments on land
adjacent to the airfield is in danger of
being overturned. A meeting of EFDC's
Overview and Scrutiny committee
scheduled for 27th August 2013 could see
demands for the decision to be
overturned in favour of developing the
entire airfield for housing and other
developments, resulting in the loss of
aviation...and the airfield! Here is a link to
EFDC's original press release relating
the decision to adopt "OPTION 3"
(continued aviation combined with
development on land adjacent to the
active airfield site): At the time of
writing, we understand that the Overview
and Scrutiny Committee meeting will not
be held in private session (at least not
entirely) so that the public may be
permitted to observe proceedings,
although direct contributions (unless
lodged through one of the councillors in
advance) are not allowed. We would urge
supporters of North Weald Airfield to
turn up at EFDC's Council Offices in
Epping on the date of the meeting to
make their presence felt. NWAUG will
co-ordinate this show of the strength of
opinion to retain the airfield with
other local groups including the North
Weald Residents Association. We will
post timings and any further relevant
information as soon as we have it.
SEPTEMBER 2012
EPPING FOREST DISTRICT
COUNCIL
YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT IS REQUIRED!
Epping Forest District Council (also owner
of North Weald Airfield) is currently
conducting a public consultation on the
shaping of the "LOCAL PLAN" which should
become a template for development in the
district for the foreseeable future. The
consultation period runs from now until
15th October 2012. Some background
information can be found on EFDC's website
here:
Once again, a series of options have been
proposed for North Weald Airfield, ranging
from closing the airfield and developing it
for "other uses" to developing it as a
centre for business/corporate aviation.
The document containing these options can be
found here:
http://plan1.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/Northgate/LDF/LDFExplorer/Home.aspx
and the subsequent link here:
http://plan1.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/northgate/ldf/ldfexplorer/DocumentList.aspx
(there may be issues with the
Google Chrome browser, in which case we
recommend using Internet Explorer or another
browser)
The best way to find the sections relating
to the airfield and surrounding area is to
search for "North Weald" (normally CRTL+F in
most browsers) and enter "north weald". The
most relevant parts are under "Chapter 4:
Options for growth and distribution of
development".
Once you register on the EFDC consultation
website you can comment on the various
options being presented by clicking on the
appropriate links.
You may also wish to suggest further
options. For example, perhaps an
additional option should be to develop part
of the airfield for business aviation (but
not the entire airfield as appears to be the
suggestion in "OPTION 3"). This
balanced development could be achieved
working with the existing aviation tenants,
would be more in keeping with the current
activities and history of the aerodrome and
most likely be an acceptable solution
for local residents, rather than a "full
blown" dedicated business airport. It
would require a lower level of licensing,
require less investment to achieve, yet
would still provide the additional income
needed to make the airfield less dependent
on the Saturday market for its financing.
Please visit the EFDC website and make your
voice heard!
Thanks for your support.
NWAUG September 2012
HALCROW CONSULTANTS PREPARE PROPOSALS
FOR
After many years of pressure from NWAUG
and other interested parties, EFDC
appointed consulting company, HALCROW to
prepare a study which the Council refers
to as an "Aviation Intensification
Study". The remit has been to look
specifically at ways in which the
aviation aspects of the airfield could
be developed to provide more revenue.
We see the healthy development of a
balanced mix of aviation as crucial to
ensuring the airfield's survival and to
provide a viable alternative to
development for housing and some of the
other less desirable options that have
been put forward in recent years. HALCROW have met with aviation tenants,
NWAUG, various operators, local
residents groups and other interested
parties in order to gather the necessary
information and opinions to allow them
to prepare their study. This study
is due to be presented to the Council's
North Weald Airfield and Asset
Management Cabinet Committee on Tuesday
22nd March at EFDC's Civic Offices in
Epping High Street. We understand
this meeting is open to the public.
DEVELOPERS TARGET NORTH WEALD AIRFIELD
AGAIN
It was recently brought to the attention
of the North Weald Airfield Users Group
that yet another consultancy period is
currently ongoing, as a result of EERA's
call for sites and the review of the
East of England plan to extend its scope
to
The
two proposals call for 4000 and 6000
houses respectively on and adjacent to
the airfield. One of these was reported
in the local press at the time, the
other not.
March 2009
Proposed Gypsy and Travellers Site on North Weald
Airfield
NWAUG is working closely with other local groups, in
partcular the North Weald Residents Association in
relation to the proposals for a large gypsy and
traveller site on the Eastern edge of the airfield.
Go the the
NWRA website for more details.
May 2007
GOVERNMENT SAYS NO TO AIRFIELD HOUSING
DEVELOPMENT
The North Weald Airfield Users Group (NWAUG)
is now delighted to inform you that
on Monday 12 May the East of England
Regional Assembly, at long last,
published their final version of the
East of England Plan.. The NWAUG has
studied this not inconsiderable document
and are pleased to say that it contains
no recommendations for any development
at North Weald Airfield.
This is the best possible outcome we could have hoped for and it therefore looks as if the future of North Weald Airfield is secure for the time being.
In particular we would like to express our appreciation to Peter Kember of Kember, Louden, Williams, who represented us at the Examination in Public (EiP) last year. Without his superb presentation, and your financial support for it, the result of the EiP would probably have been very different.
The Users Group will, of course, continue to monitor the situation at North Weald and in the mean time we would like to thank all of you who have assisted us with letter writing, support and fund raising over the last few years.
Without your help the outcome would have been unthinkable. Thank you from everyone at the NWAUG
The North Weald Airfield Users Group. ***
ENQUIRY IN PUBLIC (EiP) REPORT
REJECTS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ON NORTH WEALD AIRFIELD!
The Panel also shed doubt on the idea that
satellite developments, like the one proposed for
North Weald, would assist with the re-generation of
Harlow. In its conclusions, the panel has
recommended the exclusion of "growth" at North Weald
and the consequent deletion of all policies in this
respect. It also recommends a reduction in the
number of houses in the Epping Forest District
Council area. We would like to thank everyone who has supported the campaign so far, and, although this is certainly good news, it may not be the end of the struggle, so we will keep the pressure on to make sure the Report's findings are acted upon and will monitor developments accordingly. ***
PUBLIC ENQUIRY
HEARING ON NORTH WEALD AIRFIELD Those of you who attended the hearing in Letchworth or who listened in on the webcast will be aware that NWAUG's appointed spokesman, Mr Peter Kember of Kember Loudon Williams Planning Consultants made a very strong representation on behalf of the airfield, putting forward a compelling and well founded case for its retention as an aviation and leisure facility. He backed up his arguments with facts and data relating to developments in General Aviation in the region and the lack of alternative sites that could accommodate the activities which currently take place at North Weald. His statement included quotes from the Halcrow Report of 2002 which clearly identified unique North Weald's potential for Business and General Aviation. Mr Kember also countered several claims and arguments made by the various developers who have drawn up plans to redevelop the airfield for housing. A transcript summary of Mr Kember's submission can be read by clicking here. Further details are also available in the recent Press Release (click here). *** The Department for Culture, Media and Sport and English Heritage have included North Weald Airfield in a list of historic aviation sites which it believes should be protected for future generations. Details can be found by following this link: Link to Government Dept. for Culture, Media and Sport Press Release Although the full consequences of North Weald Airfield's inclusion in this list are uncertain, we urge our supporters to contact the Department for Culture and also English Heritage to seek clarification and to press for protection of the site as a whole and not simply a few individual buildings or structures, as could be the case at the current time. See the Latest News section for more details. ***
6800
OBJECTIONS TO PLANS TO RE-DEVELOP NORTH WEALD
A list
of submissions can be found
here As a result, North Weald Airfield Users Group has been invited to take part in the forthcoming "Examination in Public" which will further consider the issues raised.
NWAUG
objection workshop at North Weald Airfield *** Below are the main issues threatening the future of North Weald Airfield *** Draft Regional Spatial Strategy for THE East of England targets North Weald for 6,000 houses
Earlier we have
reported on the threat to North Weald Airfield, in
the shape of several studies relating to housing
expansion along the so called
"M11-Stansted-Cambridge Corridor", which
identified North Weald Airfield as a potential
site for thousands of news houses and a park and
ride facility for Stansted Airport. The airfield
is owned by Epping Forest District Council, who
unfortunately have included the re-development of
the airfield in their own planning strategy,
rather than adopting a strategy to expand its use
for aviation and leisure activities, despite
reports, such as the Government commissioned
Halcrow
Report on business aviation, which identified
North Weald's great potential as an airfield.
These earlier housing
studies and planning strategies have all contributed
to the "East of England Plan" drawn up by the East of
England Regional Assembly (EERA) as part of the
Regional Spacial Strategy (RSS14), which is ultimately
intended to become Government policy on housing and
infrastructure development in the coming years.
This East of England Plan
names North Weald Airfield and surrounding land
specifically as a strategic site for development of
6000 homes and an industrial area. It also suggests a
park and ride facility on the site and even having a
rail link passing through. If this goes ahead,
it would obviously mean the end of flying and also the
leisure activities at North Weald within a few years'
time. The airfield, which has one of the longest GA
runways and some of the best hangarage
and maintenance facilities in the South East, and
which has been active since 1916, would be lost to
aviation and the many other recreational activities
which take place there, for good.
Details of the East of
England Plan can be found here:
http://www.eera.gov.uk/category.asp?cat=452.
Chapter 5 "Sub-regional and Sub-area Policy" contains
the references to North Weald (12 in all!).
The East of England Plan,
which is effectively the final study to be produced
before the planning policy is adopted, went out to
public consultation on 8th December, which lasted
until 16th March 2005. NWAUG believe that in
excess of 3000 objections were lodged in support of
retaining North Weald Airfield as an aviation and
leisure facility. We arranged a number of events
to encourage as many people as possible to take part
in the consultation process, including reports and
advertising in the local press and also a
NWAUG
objection workshop at North Weald Airfield
on Sunday 6th March which was a resounding success!,
For full details of the various paragraphs of the report which related to North Weald click the following links: RSS 14 Paragraphs Relating to North Weald (word doc) RSS 14 Paragraphs Relating to North Weald (html doc) Although the deadline for the public consultation has now passed, if you did not manage to get your objections and comments lodged in time, you may still wish to write to the various organisations and individuals listed below to make your views known. A sample list of arguments is provided below: Arguments against the re-development of North Weald (html doc) Arguments against the re-development of North Weald (word doc) Submissions by email should be sent to: Submissions by post of fax can be sent to: Alan Moore For maximum impact, we suggest you copy your responses to the following: Rt Hon John Prescott MP
Lord Rooker (Minister of State for Housing, Planning & Regeneration) Eleanor Laing MP
(MP for the Epping Forest Constituency, which includes North Weald) Or fax Mrs Laing by following this link
Mr. John Knapman, Leader Email:
jknapman@eppingforestdc.gov.uk and
jknapman@chigwell199.fsnet.co.uk
Tony McNulty (Aviation Minister)
tony.McNulty@dft.gsi.gov.uk
Department for Transport, Here are all the above emails
addresses again in a convenient list, which you can
cut and paste into the address field of your email
program, if submitting your objections by email:
planning@eera.gov.uk,
alan.moore@eera.gov.uk,
john.prescott@odpm.gsi.gov.uk,
jeff.rooker@odpm.gsi.gov.uk,
lainge@parliament.uk,
jknapman@eppingforestdc.gov.uk,
jknapman@chigwell199.fsnet.co.uk,
alistair.Darling@dft.gsi.gov.uk,
tony.McNulty@dft.gsi.gov.uk If you have not
already done so, please also
register on this
website and let us know if you have responded to
the EERA consultation. Once registered, we will
keep you informed of developments and advise if
further action needs to be taken. Media Coverage We managed to obtain good BBC TV News coverage
for the Battle of Britain Memorial Service and Fly In on the 14 September. All concerned were amazed at the turn out (several thousand) and this was certainly
noted by the Press and TV people. ITN News also
reported on the airfield a several weeks earlier. Click
the relevant links above to view the broadcasts. LINKS
Click the links to view the various studies, reports
and documents mentioned above:
East of England Regional Plan:
http://www.eera.gov.uk/category.asp?cat=452. Stansted/M11 Corridor Options Study Harlow Options Study (Atkins): Halcrow Report - Summary of Part 3 "The Future Capacity of Business Aviation" Halcrow Summary (word doc) Halcrow Summary (html) Thank you very much for your support!
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