Wellesbourne Airfield update

Stratford-on-Avon District Council's Cabinet meeting today, Monday 12 December has agreed the following for Wellesbourne Airfield:

• To remove the permitted development rights on the Airfield immediately.
• To enter negotiations with the owners of the site to agree the purchase of the Airfield and if this is not achievable to look at steps to compulsory purchase the site.

Cllr Chris Saint, Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council says: “I'm pleased that colleagues have unanimously approved this.  It helps support the robustness of our local plan and should allow business operations of the airfield.  Should they wish to demolish any buildings on site, the owners would now need to apply for planning permission."

The official recommendations are as follows:

1)   That a Direction is made with immediate effect under Article 4 of the Town & Country Planning (General Permitted Development)(England) Order 2015 to remove the permitted development rights over Wellesbourne Mountford Airfield (The Site) (which includes the provision for demolition)and that the Head of Governance and Democracy be authorised to draft and implement the Direction immediately

2)   Subject to Council approving an appropriate amendment to the Policy and Budgetary Framework as identified on this agenda (Item 3), authority be given to the Head of Community and Technical Services, in consultation with the Leader and the Head of Governance and Democracy to:-

(a) Enter into negotiations and take any necessary further steps with the owners of the Site to agree the purchase of the Site;

In the event that (a) is not achievable, to commence and take any necessary further steps to compulsorily purchase the Site, in accordance s226 of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended).