Appeal lodged against Old Sarum Airfield development refusal
The site's owners are challenging Wiltshire Council's decision again
An appeal's been lodged by the owners of Old Sarum Airfield, against the refusal of plans to redevelop the site.
The plans would have included over 300 homes, a new 'flying hub', visitor centre and infrastructure.
Wiltshire Council unanimously refused them in August |newtab), after receiving hundreds of objections about the loss of a heritage site and overdevelopment of the local area.
The latest appeal is challenging that decision, with the Planning Inspectorate asked to look at the process.
Comments from the public on the appeal can be submitted until December 2nd.
This appeal follows the refusal of a similar scheme in 2015, and the subsequent challenge then also being thrown out.
In a statement, when the 2024 planning application was refused, Grenville Hodge, Director of Old Sarum Airfield, said:
“Old Sarum Airfield are extremely disappointed that Wiltshire Council has refused this application.
"As part of the application, we were prepared for the council to impose restrictions on our current unrestricted aircraft activity and noise at the airfield for the benefit of the thousands of residents who surround the airfield, however this decision will now significantly impact the lives of local people.
"Additionally, it seems contradictory that Wiltshire Council are using heritage concerns as grounds for refusal when the national heritage experts Historic England clearly support the proposals.
"Over the last 2 years, Old Sarum Airfield and our team of professionals have worked tirelessly to bring forward the highest quality proposals possible to secure the future of the airfield as an active flying hub, provide new housing, make highways, ecological and connectivity improvements and benefits as well as enhance and protect the heritage assets. We have engaged with Wiltshire Council in good faith but have found the local authority to be unresponsive and obstructive over many issues."