Popham Airfield: Pilots criticise 4,250 garden village plan

As previously reported, Popham Airfield was included in the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC) draft Local Plan, with proposals to build 4,250 homes on the site revealed on November 28.

The airfield was included in the plan after Labour introduced new planning framework, meaning that the borough must create 20,000 new homes by 2042.

Now, experienced pilots and organisers of the campaign group Popham Airfield Matters, John Chaplin and Brian Lloyd, have questioned the practicality of the proposals, suggesting the council hasn't considered a number of important factors like infrastructure.

Brian Lloyd, spokesperson for Popham Airfield Matters, with his aircraft (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Chaplin, chair of the group, said: "Why it matters? Look at all the other airfields that they've ever tried to build on, it takes much longer than they ever think it's going to take.

"Look at Wisley up near Guildford. I think they took 30 years and just about got it off the ground. Gunthorpe got off the ground after about 10, but then the developer said 'We can't afford it,' so they pulled it out.

"Airfields take longer. We'll be possibly dead by that stage, so it really wouldn't impact us. It will impact people that follow us or don't follow us because there isn't an opportunity."

Popham Airfield aircraft (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Lloyd explained that Popham Airfield is a facility of national importance, often used as a test site for aerospace technology and drones, but also home to state-of-the-art flight schools offering training that cannot be found anywhere else in the UK.

He said: "There are 150 aircraft here, there are three flying schools. It is amazing. You bring kids down here, and they just get so excited. And that's what often sparks this interest.

"We're also one of the only gyrocopter schools in the UK."

A light aircraft at Popham Airfield (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Chaplin added: "If you're young and want to get into aviation on a budget, this is probably the best place in the country to come to."

As well as this, Popham Airfield's location is of strategic importance to pilots across the country who need to refuel their aircraft.

Mr Lloyd continued: "Popham conveniently sits right in the middle of open airspace. Popham is the perfect drop-in place for fuel, we've got one of the very few electric charging points in the country for electric aircraft because the flying school actually operates electric aircraft.

John Chaplin, chair of Popham Airfield Matters, sat in his plane (Image: Newsquest)

"The point we're trying to make to Basingstoke and Deane is that the airfields has more intrinsic value than they realise."

The airfield itself has hosted numerous events and festivals over the years, and even welcomes educational visits. It is home to a cafe which acts as a social hub for locals who can pop in for a coffee and a chat while walking their dogs or simply enjoying the view. It is also regularly visited by car, bicycle and motorcycle clubs plus cross-country athletes and hovercraft racers.

Several aeroplanes at Popham Airfield (Image: Newsquest)

The pair insist they are "not anti-housing," but they believe that Popham Airfield holds too much significance with not only its facilities, but its protected habitat which would be at risk and a "double tragedy" according to Mr Lloyd.

He continued: "We're kind of sympathetic to them [BDBC] because we understand that they're in a difficult position.

Mr Chaplin in his aircraft (Image: Newsquest)

"But, equally, apart from the environmental and the social aspects, it's a shame to destroy a thriving little airfield.

"Our issue is they're not meeting the criteria for the National Planning Policy Framework, which says at the Regulation 18 stage, you should have some level of feasibility of what this is."

BDBC cabinet member for strategic planning and infrastructure, Cllr Andy Konieczko, said: “Planning for new homes in Basingstoke and Deane has meant making some really tough choices and I understand the concerns raised.

More planes under covers (Image: Newsquest)

“The difficult position we are in is that, as a result of the government’s changes to national planning rules in December last year, we now must plan for around 1,150 new homes in the borough every year, up from around 850 previously.

“That means we have to find space for 6,300 extra homes as we update our Local Plan, a document that will guide development in the borough for the next 15 years or so.

The airfield is home to several aircraft (Image: Newsquest)

“Including sites like Popham Airfield again, which we consulted on in spring last year, wasn’t an easy decision. This site was put forward by the landowner and we are undertaking more research to better understand the role of the airfield.

“However, if we don’t plan for these extra homes, we risk losing even more control over where, when and how development happens and the infrastructure and services that come along with it.

“These are only proposals at this stage and I am keen to hear what everyone thinks about our draft spatial strategy. A consultation is now underway until Friday 23 January and people can give their views online or at one of our drop-in sessions next month. That includes at The Warren Centre in Micheldever Station on Tuesday 6 January from 2pm to 8pm.”