Today the independent panel published its report on the Examination in Public of the draft East of England Plan.
The original Plan calls for 6000 houses to be built on the airfield. The independent panel has overturned this. In its report it says:
“One distinguishing feature for North Weald is that the Airfield would form a major previously developed site although the full proposals being promoted by the developers Lend Lease also involve significant Greenfield land. The Airfield is currently in use, however, and a persuasive case was made for its retention for General and Business Aviation and on account of its historical value.”
The panel has also recommended excluding “growth” at NW and the consequent deletion of all policies in this respect, and recommends a reduction in the number of houses in the Epping Forest District Council area. The political complexion of the council changed with the recent local elections, and is now much more sympathetic to the airfield.
These proposals will now be forwarded to the Government for further consultation.
This is marvellous news and gives North Weald a real fighting chance to ensure its survival beyond this, its 90th Anniversary year!
YR 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀
By: T6flyer - 26th June 2006 at 11:20
Brilliant news – well done to everyone involved!!
Martin
By: TempestV - 26th June 2006 at 08:40
I spent my formative years at North Weald with various concerns, from the mid 70’s to the early 90’s, and would feel a great loss to see it become housing. It was sad enough to see the Fighter Meet go, and domestic site demolished to make way for a cash and carry!
Still, fingers crossed that sense will prevail at a Governmental level too.
By: Steve Bond - 26th June 2006 at 08:16
Please don’t uncross your fingers just yet, but very well done to all concerned.
By: wv838 - 24th June 2006 at 23:32
Bravo!
Fantastic news. I’ll bet there’s a few pints being downed in celebration by NW regulars 🙂
Roy.
By: Chris Broad - 24th June 2006 at 22:40
Absolutely excellent news! It’s encouraging to hear that peoples efforts to make a difference have this time payed off.
Long live North Weald.
By: Firebird - 24th June 2006 at 21:40
The political complexion of the council changed with the recent local elections, and is now much more sympathetic to the airfield.
I think this was the important factor in NW hopeful survival, and the prospective backlash against Two Shags Prescott’s ill concieved housing plans…. 🙂
Same thing has hopefully happened where I live in respect of Loony Red Ken’s idiotic plans for a obsenely expensive, and equally ill concieved tram system along the Uxbridge Road.
By: YakRider - 24th June 2006 at 21:31
There will be a 90th Anniversary Fly-in on 19-20 August. We had hoped for an airshow this year, but the insurance cover the council insisted on was way to high to be economic. However…
Every year the Norwegians try to do something to remember their squadrons’ wartime links with the airfield. This year they are planning to make an incredible effort – a C-130 with an airforce and veterans delegation and two fighter squadron commanders in their F-16s. RAF 72 Squadron should be sending some Tucanos as well. This is on top of our resident warbird population and anyone else who might fly in with something interesting.
The Norwegians are planning to arrive on the Friday and depart on the Sunday.
Let’s hope all the publicity this visit will generate will help sway things even more in North Weald’s favour.
YR 😀
By: SE5AFAN - 24th June 2006 at 14:54
FANTASTIC NEWS 😀 😀 😀
By: Black Knight - 24th June 2006 at 14:26
Now all we need is the Fighter Meet to restart!
By: Binbrook 01 - 24th June 2006 at 11:26
Dam good news, and I did my bit with the save the airfield petition last March,I have yet to see the full version, but this bit amused me
Quote
and recommends a reduction in the number of houses in the Epping Forest District Council area.
Yeah, bulldoze em and extend the runway…… :diablo: :diablo: :diablo:
I was watching Band of Brothers on FX last night and did think, whats going to happen to it
Tim
By: TobyV - 24th June 2006 at 11:15
Planners are the least rational people I have ever had the misfortune to work with. They read rules and regulations and apply them with little or no regard to the big picture or the impacts of their decisions.
Totally agree with that. Also very nice to hear that someone actually wants to reduce the number of houses! Wish they’d do that down here where I live. Perhaps one day we’ll be in a position to buy up and demolish housing estates and build airfields on them 😀 😀
By: Manston Airport - 23rd June 2006 at 22:18
FAB NEWS
James
By: merlin70 - 23rd June 2006 at 21:41
It would be nice to think that this is a long term situation, and not just a stay of execution. Planners are the least rational people I have ever had the misfortune to work with. They read rules and regulations and apply them with little or no regard to the big picture or the impacts of their decisions.
Fingers crossed for NW and her future.
By: Russ - 23rd June 2006 at 21:15
BRILLIANT NEWS!
I know lots of people have been working hard for this…..
🙂
By: Denis - 23rd June 2006 at 21:14
I have not read the full story yet but it seems that Hunsdon airfield has been spared too.
Plans for 10,000 houses on the old airfield, where ‘Operation Jericho’ was flown from, have been ‘put on ice’
Great news for NW, hoorah for a little sanity 😉
By: skippyscage - 23rd June 2006 at 21:08
wow – sense has previaled over corporate business
Sign In
June 23, 2006 at 8:29 pm