I gather the local council are thinking of closing what remains of Panshanger and building 700 houses on it. There’s apparently little or no local support for the idea and even the MP doesn’t agree.
http://www.savepanshanger.co.uk/
I’ve no idea if it will do any good but there’s a link to a petition against the plans there.
What’s left probably less than a quarter of the airfield from when I first knew it in the middle 50s but it would be shame to lose it.
By: dhfan - 7th January 2013 at 00:24
Airfields always come first due to I believe Prescott who classified them as brownfield sites. I suppose there could be some argument that an ex-RAF airfield with a full complement of runways, hangars and technical buildings is brownfield but no way for a small grass airfield.
By: 91Regal - 6th January 2013 at 21:41
Unfortunately the golf course is almost plumb in front of runway 29 and is probably a bit too close for comfort if a problem occurs on take-off, even accounting for the fact that most flights out of 29 do a sharp right turn and fly over Tewin village. A much better proposition (IMHO) is the park immediately to the south of the airfield. This is only well used on Sunday mornings with boys/youths football teams – the other six & half days it is used by dog-walkers by day (including me) and by drug dealers and yobs by night (not including me). It may not be able hold as many houses, but there are other usable parcels of land nearby. The football club could relocate to another park in the town.
With the government set to relax planning restrictions I get a sense that developers are getting more aggressive and will use what ‘tweaks’ they can to influence opinion. There are local movements against the proposals but they have to fight hard against lethargy amongst lthe local population, the make-up of which features a lot of incomers with no loyalty to the area and its history.
By: Peter - 6th January 2013 at 20:41
Close the doors to immigration.. result!
By: Aces High - 6th January 2013 at 19:11
I can understand the need for housing but every time it seems it is the airfield that gets built on first. What use is a golf course? I think it is a waste of land so build on that. So much land around that area as Welwyn Garden City grows no need for Panshanger to pay the price.
By: dhfan - 6th January 2013 at 16:03
That would be a good idea. IIRC the golf course actually belongs to the council too and the airfield doesn’t.
By: EGTC - 6th January 2013 at 13:22
Me thinks it is about time that a ‘Build Houses on the Local Golf Course and Council Run Leisure Centre’ movement was set up. Then watch then squeal.
Agreed! Start building on areas like that and see if everyone else likes it. Airfields are becoming too easy targets nowadays.
By: Fieldhawk - 6th January 2013 at 10:01
Me thinks it is about time that a ‘Build Houses on the Local Golf Course and Council Run Leisure Centre’ movement was set up. Then watch then squeal.
By: Chipmunk Carol - 6th January 2013 at 01:47
Unashamed bump!
Panshanger is a gem of an airfield – just 7 mins off junction 4 of the A1. Go have a visit. It’s got a very welcoming cafe with some good, sensibly-priced food. It’s got an interesting history and is very much in use today with some superb, very popular, frequent events.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panshanger_Aerodrome
… and don’t forget to sign the petition please!
By: Orion - 29th November 2012 at 11:01
I’d be most surprised if this proposal goes through. Local Authorities are obliged to support aviation in their area and Panshanger is, I believe, one of only two licensed airfields in the county.
Regards
By: RMR - 28th November 2012 at 15:32
My signature is on the petition.
RMR
By: kartman - 27th November 2012 at 19:38
i`ve signed it, if you want more feedback i feel it would be much better in the Historic forum, you should get plenty of support there……….Martin
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November 27, 2012 at 11:20 am