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V28-270 : W594/43 - LAND AT ELLOUGH AIRFIELD, NORTH COVE

Application for use of airfield to allow use of small light aircraft (microlights).

The report of the Head of Planning reminded members that a site meeting had recently taken place at the above location, when a microlight aircraft had taken off and landed to allow members to gauge the amount of noise emitted.

The proposal was to operate a microlight aircraft from the existing licensed airfield. Most of the proposed flying activity would consist of flight training for trainee microlight pilots. A single aircraft of a modern design and modified to reduce noise emissions would be used for training flights. Ellough Airfield currently operated under a 1996 permission which was the subject of a Section 106 Agreement which prohibited use by microlights. The Agreement limited the total number of aircraft movements to 60 per day, and it was envisaged that as there was a lot of capacity remaining the proposed maximum of 15 microlight movements per day could easily be accommodated.

Due to the extent of the proposed flight training circuit, six nearby Parish Councils had been consulted, of which three recommended approval, one refusal, one no objection and one concern for safety, noise levels and security of property. Suffolk Preservation Society and the Ramblers Association objected. The Highway Authority was concerned at the effect on the adjacent right of way. The Footpath Officer also objected. 21 letters of objection had been received, and five letters of support.

The proposal concerned a long established, active airfield and sought a variation of use rather than a completely new operation. The applicant would be informed that the microlight operation would be closely monitored, with particular reference to the airfield flight log, to assess the effects of the use. The Head of Planning felt that the proposed level of microlight operation should be accepted for a trial period, subject to conditions.

RESOLVED

That planning permission be granted to application W594/43, temporary until 31 December 2001 and personal to the applicant, subject to the prior conclusion of an amended Section 106 Agreement and temporary variation of the Section 106 Agreement to permit, within the overall limit of 60 aircraft movements per day, a maximum of 15 take-offs by microlight aircraft, hours of operation as specified in the application, no training circuits on Sundays and all training flights to be in aircraft registration number G-MVSO.


Volume 28 Minute 270

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