Well Done To Those Who Took A Couple Of Minutes.
Lifted from the Gloucestershire Echo website, as usual:
“Almost 17,000 people have backed the campaign to save Kemble Airfield.Hundreds of jobs are on the line if the airport, which is used by thousands of pilots, planes and tourists each year, was to close.
Two online petitions, launched in April, have attracted 9,768 signatures while a hard copy, which has been circulated around local homes and businesses, has been signed by more than 7,000 supporters.
The future of the aerodrome was thrown into doubt after Cotswold District Council served the airport with an enforcement order to clampdown on unauthorised flying following complaints from some residents.
It said the airport only had permission for storage, repair and maintenance and associated flying.
The decision could spell the end of the annual Kemble Air Day, which this year attracted more than 15,000 people, and threaten dozens of jobs at the site.
A planning inquiry is due to be held in November.
Acting manager of the airfield, Will Stocksley, says everyone at the airfield has been overwhelmed by the level of support which has been shown.
“We’re obviously happy with the number of people who have chosen to sign the petitions which have been doing the rounds.
“There are two online petitions and we’ve a hard copy here which people have been signing, which has had a similar number of signatures, around the 7,000 mark.
“It’s a great amount of support which has been offered to us and we welcome it all.
“I’m in the process of collating all the evidence of support for the airfield, which I assume will then be passed on to the council at the inquiry, which I believe is taking place later in the year.”
About 80 jobs were feared at risk at Kemble Airfield, which is more than 70 years old.
Rumours that aircraft giant British Aerospace was considering pulling out of a contract worth millions with Chevron Technical Services Ltd were quashed earlier this year, after news of the possible closure of the airfield broke.
It is hoped a compromise can be reached with the council to ensure the airfield continues to see classic planes – including fighters and RAF aircraft – continue to fly to and from the centre.
The online petition, on the Prime Minister’s website, is now closed.”
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