Policy INF4: Protecting Existing Facilities
Popham Aifield is a valuable asset and should be retained.
It serves as part of the national infrastructure of General Aviation airfields which supports industries (aviation engineering and maintenance, flying schools training aircrew for commercial aviation roles, air traffic controllers and staff maintaining airfields). If airfields such as Popham are lost, these industries which make a significant contribution to the economy, will be lost forever.
The airfield is also an amenity for a wider population than just those that fly to and from the airfield. The excellent cafe on site is very popular with a diverse range of customers, some of whom come from far afield to enjoy it. The site also has the potential to be used on accessions for other social or cultural events.
The need for increased housing is not disputed. However, there is much surrounding land that could be developed without losing the amenity of the airfield.
in addition, given that the land surrounding the runway is not cultivated, it provides a haven for wild life which would be lost if the land was used for buildings.