Yes

ID sylw: 108105

Derbyniwyd: 06/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Wellesbourne Matters

Wellesbourne Matters strongly supports the retention of policy protection for the established flying functions of Wellesbourne Airfield for the reasons that sit behind the protection currently afforded to it under existing policy AS.9 of the Core Strategy.

There have been no material change in circumstances since the adoption of AS.9 that would justify any relaxation of the principle of protection for the site. If anything, closures of facilities elsewhere would only strengthen the case to preserve the important functions of the site that are acknowledged in paragraph 111(f) of the National Planning Policy Framework which requires planning policies to “recognise the importance of maintaining a national network of general aviation airfields, and their need to adapt and change over time – taking into account their economic value in serving business, leisure, training and emergency service needs, and the General Aviation Strategy”.

Any development that comes forward for the site should ensure that it either enhances those functions or otherwise ensures that they are retained.

The benefits of co-locating employment uses with an operational airfield are fundamentally derived from the established flying functions and aviation related facilities that are present at the site. Any development that reduces the functionality of the airfield by, for example, reducing or limiting the operations that are currently carried out at the site, will commensurately reduce the benefits of such co-location in addition to causing harm to the national network of general aviation airfields.

Yes

ID sylw: 108106

Derbyniwyd: 06/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Wellesbourne Matters

MIS.8/MIS.9 - Wellesbourne Area including University of Warwick and Wellesbourne Airfield
The principle of policy support for further investment in employment uses that have a clear nexus to the aviation industry or would benefit from the transport facilities that it supports.
However, any such policy support must be qualified by clear wording that ensures that any such development must retain or support the enhancement of the established flying functions and aviation facilities at Wellesbourne Airfield, consistently with the existing policy AS.9. See Wellesbourne Matters’ comments on draft policy direction 16.