But Local Residents Appear Overwhelmingly Opposed To The Idea

The Stow Maries Aerodrome is seeking permission from the Maldon District Council in Essex U.K. to increase the number of operations allowed, particularly on summer weekends and holidays.

The application presented Commission seeks to set the hours of operation for the Aerodrome, which houses a museum of WWI aircraft, to allow take offs and landings only after 0800 hours and no later than either 2000 hours, or sunset whichever is earlier.

In the Winter months (November to April inclusive) there shall be no more than 25 landings and 25 take offs per day. In the Summer months (May to October inclusive) there shall be no more than 25 landings and 25 take offs on weekdays.

In the Summer months (May to October inclusive) there shall be a maximum of 50 landings and take offs per day at weekends and bank holidays apart from Special Public Event Flying days when maximum landings and take offs are increased to 75 take offs and 75 landings per day.

The aerodrome hopes to be able to offer fly-ins and air shows during the summer months, according to the Keep Airshows Airborne Facebook page. However, the comments on the Planning Permission website is running overwhelmingly against the proposal, with some 95 percent of the comments in objection.

Writing on the Facebook page, Henry K. Simpson says the aerodrome needs help from the aviation community. "They need their supporters to help by responding to the planning permission, citing support for it," he writes. Simpson suggests commenters discuss "what a unique asset Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome is, how the small air displays and visiting aircraft have really added atmosphere and brought the place alive as a true "living museum" and how the limited number of extra movements requested would be unlikely to impact adversely on the local environment."

Simpson says it has also been suggested that things such as "STEM, history and community activity" be mentioned in responses.

If permission to increase activity is not granted, the airfield will be limited to 12 movements a day, and they will not be allowed to hold small airshows ... something that they have been working towards.

By law, the Commission must make a decision on the issue by January 24.

(Logo from Facebook)

FMI: Comments, Facebook