Opposition can not only close an aerodrome – it can also prevent one from reopening.

The airfield at RAF Driffield (East Yorkshire) closed to flying in the 1950s, but the site is still retained by the MoD (Army).

A few years ago I suggested that a small part of the site could be reopened as an all grass landing field (see attached). Since then several pilots have expressed an interest in keeping their aircraft at Driffield. One businessman even expressed an interest in establishing a flying club, while a parachute school has also expressed an interest in my proposal. Recently a paragliding club has also contacted me, while I myself would like to establish the Yorkshire Vintage Gliding Club. Now there is part of the site which isn’t used by the army, which is well suited for flying. The problem isn’t the MoD, but rather the original land owners. My understanding is that the MoD will vacate the site within seven years and the land will be handed back to the original owners, who have expressed their opinion that flying would not interest them at all.

It’s a shame that with so much interest in seeing the airfield reopen that the decision is down to one or two farms. What future awaits the historic airfield (?) : farming (most likely), wind farm (probably), gravel extraction (I wouldn’t be surprised).

I honestly believe that if you limit flying to light aircraft and gliders this interest in seeing the airfield reopen might extend to local residents. I’m constantly been inspired by other low-category / low-use airfields. For example recent pictures taken at East Kirby show what can be done with a lot of hard work and plenty of grass seed – check out the photographs in the gallery section of this forum (East Kirby).