Second attempt to build on Old Sarum Airfield criticised

Old Sarum airstrip is the subject of a planning argument

A scheme to develop a World War One airfield is 'unnecessary' according to locals objecting to a planning application.

Owners Blanefield Aviation said the plan for 300 homes, commercial and visitor buildings will secure the future the Old Sarum site in Wiltshire.

Wiltshire Council is considering an outline application after the previous rejection by a judicial review in 2020.

Save Old Sarum Airfield said the plan will "harm the airfield and wildlife".

The first planning application was submitted on behalf of Blanefield Aviation in 2015.

It was then rejected by Wiltshire Council at appeal in 2018 and by the planning inspector in 2019.

That decision was upheld at a judicial review hearing in 2020.

The scheme includes a new flying and visitor centre

Speaking to BBC Radio Wiltshire, on behalf of the owners, Grenville Hodge said: "In order to secure the airfield's heritage it has to be commercially viable without aviation noise blighting local communities".

Mr Hodge added: "The new application takes into account the reasons why the first application was refused and will include work to restore one of the original World War One hangars.

"The design is compatible with the old historic buildings," he said, claiming the scheme would "substantially improve" the ecological value of the land.

A remaining WW1 hanger is in urgent need of repair

Mark Uffindell lives in the nearby village of Ford and is a member of the group Save Old Sarum who have condemned the plan.

Mr Uffindell said that the current application "means we are in danger of losing an important historical asset".

"Building on the airfield will cause harm to the site which is adjacent to the Old Sarum iron-age fort monument and to wildlife," he said.

Mark Uffindell from the Save Old Sarum group says the plans will cause harm

Wiltshire Councillor Nick Botterill, said: "We can confirm we have received a planning application for land at Old Sarum Airfield.

"As with all planning applications, it will be processed in the usual way, in accordance with planning law and local and national planning policies."

Salisbury City Council and the parish council for Laverstock and Ford have objected to the proposals.

Historic England commented "while there are some benefits to the proposals, development is still likely to have an impact" .

"The green, open nature of the airfield helped everyone appreciate historic use. The undeveloped nature of the airfield helps us to understand the former function of the hillfort, and its historic defences."

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