Rushcliffe MP James Naish has commented after yesterday’s article where a flying club left the airport for the final time amid protests which continue against the sites’ imminent closure this week.
The airfield is set to close to all but air ambulance operators on 6 June.
James Naish MP told The Wire:
“I understand and appreciate campaigners’ love of the site and their desire to see local aviation and related businesses thrive; and like them, I’m cross that the site has been wound down earlier than strictly necessary.
“I believe that Vistry could have found other ways of preparing the site while planning permission is being considered, without closing the site altogether. After all, as we all know, planning for large developments like the one proposed can take a long time to secure, once local voices and elected representatives have had their say.
“I have no doubt that the individual planning applications and the Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan will continue to attract plenty of discussion over the coming months, and I’ll continue to provide support to those who are in contact with me about this issue wherever I can.”
Over the last year or so, James has provided support to local campaigners by engaging, among others, The General Aviation Awareness Council, the aviation minister, Vistry’s management team, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Aviation and the Ministry of Defence, as well as liaising with Rushcliffe Borough Council as the local planning authority.
A Rushcliffe Borough Council spokesperson said: “The closure of Tollerton Airport is a private matter with the landowner, which is outside of the control and remit of the Council, however, we understand the impact this has had on businesses at the site, and we are supporting, where we can, through our Economic Growth team.
“The land east of Gamston and north of Tollerton was allocated in the 2014 Rushcliffe Local Plan Part 1 to meet housing targets. It could deliver 4,000 homes, employment land, open space, schools, a local centre and other infrastructure. This allocation is also included within the Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan (publication version).
“The Council is preparing a masterplan (Supplementary Planning Document) for this site, which the public will have an opportunity to comment on during the consultation later this year.
“To date we have received two planning applications, which have been through a consultation period with residents and statutory consultees but have not yet been determined. The Council have committed to putting the masterplan in place first, which will detail the future design and infrastructure for the development.”
• Sherwood Flying Club leaves Tollerton Airport after 67 years as protests continue
