Airstrip north of Dorchester denied operating certificate
Dorset Council says Ridge Hill at Buckland Newton can't be used for flying
The owner of a grass airstrip north of Dorchester has had a claim for planning recognition rejected.
The Ridge Hill Airfield at Court Farm, Buckland Newton claimed it qualified for a lawful development certificate because the site has been in operation for more than ten years, making it exempt from the need to apply for planning consent.
But Dorset Council rejected the argument for use of both light planes and helicopters on the site together with the use of a barn for storage.
Evidence of the continuing use presented to the Council included logs recording the airfield use and statements from airfield users.
The site had also been granted temporary planning consents in 1997 and 1998 with a condition that use of the site should end before the end of March 2002.
A Dorchester resident, who keeps an aircraft there, told the Council in a statement, how the use of the field went back at least ten years.
The application drew some support from non-users of the site, but met with a negative reaction from a Duntish resident who told Dorset Council:
“There already seems to be increased activity on the site, which is creating more noise and air pollution in the AONB. A light plane took off today about 11.15. Why? When it is supposed to have been closed in 2002? The landing direction comes right over Duntish as the prevailing wind is West, often practise runs come round up to 8 times in an hour. One helicopter pass overhead had the pilot leaning out of the door! There is plenty of space at either Henstridge or Compton Abbas with competent tuition available.”
A Dorset Council planning officer concluded that the evidence provided did not support ten years use of the airstrip with no evidence to support helicopter use, although a helicopter was based at Court Farm itself, rather than at the airstrip.
The council decision does not, necessarily, mean the end of flights with a 28-day temporary use, or applying for a new planning consent possible options for the site owner.