ABOVE: Popham Airfield is one of southern England’s most active general aviation aerodromes
A new threat has emerged for one of southern England’s most active GA hubs, as Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s latest Draft Local Plan proposes building 4,250 houses across Popham Airfield. The plan, released on 28 November, opens an eight-week ‘Regulation 18’ consultation window, giving pilots, residents and aviation supporters until 23 January 2026 to make their objections heard.
Although many aviators submitted responses during the 2024 consultation, campaigners stress that this is a new and separate process, meaning objections must be filed again to count. They are also urging supporters to submit multiple responses if they have several reasons for opposing the development, each one recorded as a separate objection.
The volunteer-run group Popham Airfield Matters has published guidance to help aviators navigate the vast 1,800-page document, including links to the relevant sections, a summary of the proposed impacts on the airfield, and a list of key aviation, community and heritage assets at risk. However, they emphasise that objections should be written in supporters’ own words, as copied text may not be counted as unique submissions.
Campaigners insist that factual, reasoned arguments carry the most weight with planners, and they encourage respondents to scrutinise the updated Draft Local Plan for new issues or omissions.
For more information, visti https://www.pophamairfieldmatters.org/
Photo: Dave Unwin/Pilot Magazine
