ABOVE: ‘Many future commercial pilots start their training at these airfields,’ highlights the petition
A petition has been launched to reclassify UK airfields as ‘greenfield’ sites, rather than their existing ‘brownfield’ status, in an attempt to make them less attractive for housing developers. (Greenfield sites are primarily categorised as undeveloped areas of land, whereas brownfield developments represent redevelopment of an existing site.)
The petition, which was created by Save Nottingham City (Tollerton) Airport campaigner Sarah Deacon, will receive a government response if it garners 10,000 signatures. Subject to further interest, it could also be considered for debate in Parliament.
Noting that “airfields are often mostly grass land, reclassifying them as green belt could help protect our green countryside, protect local employment and protect general aviation,” explains the petition. It also adds that “general aviation airfields are home to wild flowers, plants and grasses as well as many small animals and birds such as Skylarks which are on the red list”.
In March 2024, a second plan to redevelop Nottingham’s Tollerton airport was unveiled, including a first phase of 400 residential dwellings and detailing outline planning permission for a further phased residential development. If successful, these would necessitate the demolition of existing buildings and the runway. However, although Sarah Deacon explains on social media that the airfield isn’t technically a brownfield site, she adds her view that “planners don’t generally let technicalities get in the way of doing what they want, it would appear”.
The petition concludes that the proposed reclassification to greenfield sites would not only ‘protect GA airfields from being so vulnerable to closure,’ it would also ‘help to cement the UK as a world leader in general aviation’. Please do add your support via this link.
IMAGE: UK GOVERNMENT AND PARLIAMENT
