Norfolk CC have replied that they are still totally open to suggestions – so the runway may not be lost if enough interest is expressed. One can only hope, anyway.

In the past I always found it a very welcoming airfield (and the resurfaced main was smooth as a baby’s posterior). I’m glad to hear that the impression I gained last year may have been a false one – but I’m sure that you can see where it came from.

If there still any gliding going on, as there seemed to be a slight lack of them when I was last there and the gliding site seems to have gone (although that may just be me)?

This was my suggestion:

Thank you for inviting alternative suggestions for the future of the former RAF Coltishall site. As you know, this is a very important RAF station in terms of it having been the longest serving fighter command station, having defended the people of Norfolk through WW2 and the Cold War era.

The heritage of the site deserves to be protected. I believe that the Jaguar simulator still exists on site and this, along with the control tower, could form the basis of an excellent museum based on the history of Coltishall and the contribution Norfolk made to air defence and offence – currently often overlooked in favour of Lincolnshire where the council are working to develop their own centre at RAF Scampton.

Parts of the site could be used for agriculture and/or solar power generation – but I strongly suggest that the main runway is retained. Aside from the historical reasoning that an airbase without a runway is always incomplete, I believe that the Council could make short and long-term revenue from this facility.

Norwich Airport is increasingly busy, and the General Aviation side of the operation is gradually being squeezed out. In the county there are only two main airfields, Tibenham (devoted mostly to gliding) and Shipdham (unlicensed, trapped in a dairy farm and conflicted with Norwich ATC). Encouraging the GA operations to relocate to Coltishall, paying rent and landing fees to Norfolk County Council, would bring in a steady income.

I am also aware that the air cadet gliding facility at Watton is threatened, and the option of encouraging them to relocate to Coltishall could be investigated.

Currently a number of airliners are stored at Norwich Airport. If the NDR is built the location used for this storage will be lost. Coltishall, with a long runway and decent site security, could be a viable alternative – with the fees for the storage of these aircraft going into the Council coffers. One or more hangars could also be offered for lease by aircraft engineering companies, such as the one outbid by NCC, bringing extra income and jobs into the area. Being an isolated location, Coltishall would be ideal for this type of operation.

Investigation could also be made into whether the Norfolk and Norwich Aviation Museum could be relocated to Coltishall, as their current site is also threatened by the NDR. This would be a challenging operation due the size of some of the aircraft, but is possible as demonstrated by the removal of an airliner from Norwich to Flixton as an airborne under-slung load. Access to Coltishall would be easier and safer than reaching the current site, and would draw additional visitors into the North Walsham area, which currently has few attractions.

The runway would also be available as an emergency diversion facility for Norwich International should an incident take place.

In short, I see the runway as the most valuable asset on the site and strongly encourage Norfolk County Council to follow Lincolnshire’s lead and develop a premier GA aviation centre for the County.