Branscombe airfield future looks bright

THE FUTURE of Branscombe's Airfield is looking more secure after parish councillors' signalled acceptance of the planning application.

The application was discussed at Branscombe's parish council meeting last Thursday (October 16) in which councillors recommended that if East Devon District Council approves the application they may wish to consider a number of conditions attached.

Pilot and businessman, David Hayman, who owns the airfield, has praised parish councillor for a "breakthrough" decision about the number of flights to and from Branscombe Airfield.

Members of the council signalled acceptance of 250 flights at the grass airstrip, if EDDC approve the latest application in the next few weeks.

Mr Hayman, who uses light aircraft to commute to clients in Britain and abroad welcomed the new stance of the parish council, which emerged during the hour-long debate.

Members had opposed a similar application earlier this year, which was then subsequently withdrawn by the airfield's owner.

They unanimously backed a proposal by Councillor Frank Adlam who suggested allowing 250 flights, spread throughout the year.

Chairman John Bass said: "That would seem a sensible way forward."

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Hayman said: "I'm grateful for the time that members put into considering this application, and for the objective way they handled it.

"It was a real breakthrough for members to accept my offer to limit the number of annual flights at Branscombe to just 250 - no doubt because of a sound survey during the summer which finally demonstrated that light aircraft using the airfield contribute negligible noise nuisance.

"One matter to be addressed is whether any permission should be restricted solely to me, or whether other pilots could use some of the 250 flights.