Popham Airfield / Garden Village

The plan alleges benefits for "Popham Garden Village", but appears to disregard the Popham Airfield that it would displace. There are a few thing about this airfield that should be considered.

• Popham Airfield is a thriving and well-established airfield, with a countrywide excellent reputation.
• It is a CAA recognised airfield with identification EGHP. It is also recognised by the UK Border Force.
• There are around 150 aircraft based at Popham and this is rising.
• There are around 450 club members at Popham.
• The above are eclipsed by the many visitors (both by air or road) to the airfield.
• There are 15 staff members directly employed by the airfield management business and club.
• There is a busy Microlight training school based at Popham that is well established (one of the first ever Microlight schools) that not only provide employment for the instructors, training for student pilots, but also a first introduction to many potential pilots of the future.
• Similarly there is a Gyrocopter school based here.
• There is a BCAR approved onsite aircraft maintenance facility with its associated employees.
• The airfield also support numerous offsite professional employees, such as repair and maintenance, inspectors and trainers.
• The airfield cafe supports 6 (or more) employees and is popular not only with pilots and their visitors, but also many visitors from the locality. It is also frequented by the local Police (for refreshments) and cyclists (both pedal and motorcyclists.
• Indeed, the airfield is an important local attraction, open to the public.
• The airfield supports charity events including the Sebastian Action Trust and formerly the Starlight Foundation for terminally sick children and their families. This not only gives them a chance to experience flying, but many other supporting attractions such as car rides, motorcycle rides, fairground attractions (for free)
• The airfield supports the annual "Microlight Trade Fair", which is a major UK event and is recognised across Europe. This not only supports the aircraft manufacturers and training schools, but a huge plethora of other businesses such as maintenance organisations, equipment manufacturers (and repair), safety agencies etc. The annual AGM of the British Microlight Aircraft Association is also held during this event. This is of considerable influence on the aviation economy.
• Many other aviation events are held, such as specific type fly-ins, Vintage aircraft fly-ins and recently the Light Aircraft Association annual Grass Roots fly-in.
• The airfield supports numerous other community events such as the annual motorcycle Mega-Meet, cycling and running events, 4x4 vehicle events, motorcycle events - even hovercraft racing events.
• The airfield has a thriving modellers club, which also holds an annual Aero Modelling show, that is Nationally recognised.
• Is a recognised Caravan/Motorhome site.
• Is not simply an aviation site, but an important local amenity.

I draw to your attention that the proposal of turning Popham Airfield into Popham Garden Village is entirely contradictory to government strategic policy of "Flightpath to the Future" published in 26th May 2022. Among a vast array of points supporting GA (General Aviation) airfields, it includes "Airfield Protection: Supporting the strategic infrastructure network and assets of GA for activities today and to secure it for the next generation." and "We will continue to seek to ensure plan making and decision taking has appropriate regard to the importance of the national network of GA facilities, in line with the National Planning Policy Framework  which seeks to recognise the importance of maintaining a national network of general aviation airfields" on page 57.

This is backed up by the "General Aviation Handbook for Stakeholders including Local Authorities" which includes on page 9 "Government strategy It is government policy that the impact on the network of GA airfields should be considered/ recognised when new development are being proposed or considered. Airfields not only contribute to local and national economies and promote our rich aviation heritage, they can also provide a pathway to careers and STEM opportunities and act as testbeds for innovation. The Government is keen that airfields and GA businesses are involved in the planning process from the onset of new proposals and intended developments to ensure GA and aviation considerations are identified, understood and considered where relevant.  Section 1 — Strategic context 9 Government strategy It is government policy that the impact on the network of GA airfields should be considered/ recognised when new development are being proposed or considered. Airfields not only contribute to local and national economies and promote our rich aviation heritage, they can also provide a pathway to careers and STEM opportunities and act as testbeds for innovation. The Government is keen that airfields and GA businesses are involved in the planning process from the onset of new proposals and intended developments to ensure GA and aviation considerations are identified, understood and considered where relevant.". This then goes on to explain how such airfield should be seen as an asset and these are safeguarded under the "Planning Practice Guidance and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)."

Although it is very laudable to promote local public transport, the reality is that people will still want to use their own private transport and you will not stop them. With an average of 1.42 cars (and rising) per household (south east UK) this equates to 4260 vehicles. The local road structure (Overton Road etc.) cannot possibly cope with this increase, let alone the rest of the support and delivery vehicles. The reworking of the roads would destroy even more of the currently beautiful landscape.

If the policy is "The Plan’s spatial strategy seeks to maximise opportunities to redevelop brownfield (previously developed) land", then greenfield sites such as Popham Airfield should only be considered as a last resort. It should not be included in this plan.