The US Is Not Alone In Having To Fight Anti-Airport Lunacy

Aviators all over the country have had to contend with efforts to shut down airports for all manner of short-sighted, ignorant, myopic reasons, but it seems that our friends across the pond are not exactly immune to having to deal with such dastardly anti-aviation actions, as well. 

This time the victim is the UK's Popham Airfield. The British Microlight Aircraft Association has reported that the Basingstoke and Deane Council have proposed adding Popham Airfield to their Local Plan - and turning it into a 3,500-home 'Garden Village.' And yes, that's as bad as it sounds. 

BMAA reports that this proposal is not in line with either Government policy or their stated aim to make the UK the best place in the world for General Aviation. The Government's policy can be found in their publication 'Flightpath to the Future,' and makes repeated references to the vital importance of airfields, forming a critical part of national infrastructure. 

BMAA notes there is an onsite portal (see link below) where pilots and aviation advocates can have their say and tell Basingstoke & Deane Council that their proposal is contrary to Government policy and to insist the proposal is removed from the current ‘draft’ strategic plan.

The BMAA tells us that they remain committed to supporting to their airfields and to microlight pilots who depend on them. 

FMI: https://bit.ly/3OhuKf3, www.basingstoke.gov.uk/LPU-have-your-say, www.bmaa.org