Thanks Moggy for your posts. They help to put things in context.

The important thing for everyone to remember is that this is just the start of a very prolonged campaign. Letters will have to be written at various stages, and we’ll do our best to keep you all fully informed.

A lot is already going on behind the scenes. I hope many of you can get to NW for the Flypast Fly-in days next month – that’s another practical thing to show your support! Four P51s should be in attendance if everything goes according to plan.

Thanks to everyone who has written so far.

YR

Actually, the report was commissioned “as a background technical document to assist the preparation of draft Regional Planning Guidance for the East of England (RPG14) by the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA).”

Atkins are looking at development of the whole Harlow area. North Weald is just one part of the plan.

They admit themselves that “in the Transport and Regeneration Led Corridors options the development of the North Weald Bassett site is dependent on the construction of the new public transport link from Epping to Harlow via North Weald Bassett in the sense that the development of this site without a public transport link would run counter to the philosophy underlying this development option. Without this transport link the housing and employment uses on the site would be car dependent and, therefore, less suitable.”

This is a big ‘if’. They estimate that the cost of the link would be £33 million.

North Weald could have a bigger role to play if there was some investment in navaids and the airfield was licenced. It has a big advantage over Stapleford in the longer runway and hangerage and has far better fire cover. The biggest aircraft that can get in and out of Stapleford is a King Air – certainly no jets! NW is also closer to existing transport links into central London from Epping or Harlow or via the M11.

The fact that it is under the Stansted zone isn’t necessarily a hindrance either. It is off to one side, and if Northolt can operate successfully so close to Heathrow in Class A airspace, NW could do the same in Class D. There is no reason why Essex Radar couldn’t act as an approach service in the same way the Thames Radar (LCY) does for Biggin Hill.

Epping Council are bound to balance likely income from keeping the airfield open to a one-off windfall from developers. But they also have a duty to provide resources for the community. NW hosts many activities for local people that are not aviation-related.

Rochester Airport recently beat off a concerted council attack to close that airfield. If we stand by and do nothing, it will close. If we make our voices heard, there is a chance to keep it open.

YR

A close up.

Don’t forget to write that letter! The end of next week isn’t that far away.

A side view.

Don’t forget to write that letter!