Section 16 Land Exchange Consultation Launched

On Tuesday 2nd January 2024 we submitted an application to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) to deregister from Yateley Common 35.3 acres at Blackbushe Airport, and to offer as replacement an equivalent area at Cottage Farm.

Please help us by supporting our application.  You can read more about it and submit a response directly to PINS at: www.blackbusheairport.co.uk/consultation

WHY DO WE NEED TO DEREGISTER COMMON LAND?

We’ve got ambitions to build hangarage for general aviation aircraft, and to replace the ageing facilities such as the Terminal, and Pathfinder Cafe with modern, purpose-built facilities.  Legislation doesn’t allow for building on common land, and the active aerodrome has been registered as common since 1967.

BENEFITS

SAFEGUARDING THE AIRPORT

The airport in its current form is not sustainable, with business susceptible to the weather.  This land exchange will enable the development of hangarage and other facilities desperately needed at Blackbushe, making the airport a sustainable business.

ACCESS

The public have no right of access over the ‘Release Land’ (the aerodrome).  A few local properties have rights of common over the airport, but in practice they cannot exercise those rights as doing so could present a risk to aircraft.

The ‘Replacement Land’ will be opened up for public access, allowing commoners and the public alike to use the land for exercise and recreation.  This adds 35.3 acres of new recreation land available to the local community.

CONNECTING THE COMMON

At present, the east side of Yateley Common is separated from the west side by Cottage Farm.  The only way between the two sides is via a bridleway to the north (which is in a poor state of repair), and permissive routes to the south, which suffer from water run-off from the A30.

The new land will open up the two sides of the common, and over time, new walking routes will establish themselves across the Replacement Land, reducing the pressure on the existing paths.

IMPROVING BIODIVERSITY

The Release Land is an operational airport.  Over 10 acres of it (29%) is already covered by hardstanding or buildings.  The grass surrounding it is mown regularly to comply with CAA wildlife management regulations, and to discourage the formation of habitats.

The Replacement Land will benefit from a 15-year Environmental Management Plan which will oversee the natural establishment of species-rich grassland, and allow for the establishment of habitats for ground nesting birds and other local protected species.

We’ve put together our vision for Blackbushe Airport.  Central to this will be hangarage for all types of General Aviation, and a new Terminal with purpose built facilities including an improved Pathfinder Cafe.