Redhill Aerodrome to submit new runway plan – public consultation

The owners of Redhill Aerodrome, a grass airfield in Surrey, are to submit a revised application to build a hard runway. They want to replace its 3 grass runways with a concrete one, much longer.  Its current longest runway is some 890 metre, and the  proposed runway will have a total length of 1349 metres. This would give the aerodrome the potential to increase flights from 60,000 to 85,000 a year.  The longer runway would allow business jets to use the aerodrome – some 20,000 per year. Tandridge and Reigate and Banstead Councils turned down its original application at the end of 2011.  It now hopes its amended application addresses the reasons for refusal before. More than 1,000 people signed a petition against the original plans, saying they would cause unacceptable noise and pollution. Its green belt site straddles the border between Tandridge and Reigate and Banstead.


17 May 2012 (BBC)

Redhill airfield
Aerodrome boss Jon Horne said the new runway would create new jobs and bring economic benefits

The owners of a grass airfield in Surrey are to submit a revised application to build a hard runway.

Redhill Aerodrome wants to replace its three grass runways with a concrete one, giving it potential to increase flights from 60,000 to 85,000 a year.

Tandridge and Reigate and Banstead Councils turned down its original application in 2011.

Aerodrome boss Jon Horne said the new runway would create 170 new jobs and bring economic benefits.

The aerodrome, which is home to more than 20 companies employing hundreds of people, has been in operation for about 80 years.

‘Noise and pollution’

Mr Horne said the new plans would see the width of the proposed runway reduced, improved road safety and transport provision and better landscaping.

He added: “We have spent five months considering what the best course of action would be in respect of gaining approval for a hard runway at the aerodrome.

“The option to appeal the decisions against the scheme in 2011 was supported positively by strong legal advice, however, we currently believe the best way to proceed is by directly addressing the reasons for refusal in a new amended application.”

“Not only will this secure the existing 450 jobs supported by the aerodrome, but we believe it will lead to the creation of at least another 170 jobs over time as well as support and encourage other economic activity and regeneration in the local area,” he added.

More than 1,000 people signed a petition against the original plans which went before Tandridge and Reigate and Banstead councils in November and December 2011.

Opponents at the time, including East Surrey MP Sam Gyimah, said the new runway would create an unacceptable level of noise and pollution and destroy the landscape.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-18105052

 

Related BBC Stories


Redhill Aerodrome’s website

Redhill Aerodrome’s page on its 2012 planning appliation is at
http://www.redhillaerodrome.com/index.php/planning-ap-2012
RAL is undertaking a four week public consultation exercise from Monday 21 May to Monday 18 June 2012 in advance of submitting planning applications in the summer.
The plans will be discussed at the Annual Public Meeting of the Redhill Aerodrome Consultative Committee to be held at 10am on Saturday 9th June 2012 in the Village Hall, Mid Street, South Nutfield. Following the meeting the Aerodrome Team will be available to answer questions until 2pm.

Please click on this link for the key headlines and how this proposal relates to the previous application.

RAL proposes to replace the existing three grass runways with one new hard runway and associated infrastructure. Here is a diagram of the current layout of the Aerodrome.

The existing three grass runways, which are all defined as code 2 runways by the CAA, will be replaced with one hard surfaced runway on a new east/west alignment. The proposed runway would be code 2b non-precision runway and has been designed in accordance with CAA requirements as set out in CAP168 Licensing of Aerodromes. The maximum declared distance of Take of Run Available (TORA) for a code 2 runway is 1199m. Diagram of the proposed layout of the Aerodrome.

The paved area to accommodate the proposed runway will have a total length of 1349m and will be 25m wide. The landing thresholds will be displaced from the ends of the paved surface by 150m. The 150m of displaced runway may not be used for take-off or landing.

It says:

“RAL expects that over time the number of aircraft movements could grow to 85,000
movements, comprising 65,000 general aviation movements (fixed wing and helicopters)
and 20,000 business aviation movements using aircraft such as very light jets and
turboprops. Aircraft movements will be capped at these levels. This proposed movement
cap is the same as proposed previously.”

and

 

The introduction of fixed-wing business aviation is likely to mean this position will continue as flights increase. In order to provide a safeguard RAL has proposed strict limits on ‘Permitted Hours of Operation’, which would limit its published opening times to within 07.00 and 22.00 throughout the year, with an agreed extension beyond this for a very limited number of movements.

http://www.redhillaerodrome.com/images/Downloads/planapp2012_leaflet.pdf


 

Redhill Aerodrome checks in with hard runway plan

By Angela Brooks
May 30, 2012  (Get Surrey)

ANOTHER planning application is being prepared by Redhill Aerodrome for permission to replace the existing grass runways with a single hard surface.

A previous proposal was submitted but refused at the end of 2011, but officials at the aerodrome believe they have now addressed the issues raised at the time.

Jon Horne, chief executive of Redhill Aerodrome Ventures, said: “We have spent five months considering what the best course of action would be in respect of gaining approval for a hard runway at the aerodrome.

“The option to appeal the decisions against the scheme in 2011 was supported positively by strong legal advice, however, we currently believe the best way to proceed is by directly addressing the reasons for refusal in a new amended application.”

But East Surrey MP Sam Gyimah has already opposed the new plans for a hard runway, calling them “rehashed”.

He said: “I made my objections clear last year that a hard runway at Redhill Aerodrome was completely inappropriate.

“The latest proposals are just a rehashed version of what we have seen before.

“No hard evidence that the jobs they say they can deliver will materialise; no response to the detrimental effect it would have on the environment; and a failure to acknowledge the monumental impact it would have on residents and their quality of life.

“Redhill Aerodrome is no doubt an asset as a local business and I hope the management can find ways to grow but in harmony with the local environment.”

The new application outlines the plans for the three current grass runways to be replaced with one hard surface and associated infrastructure.

It stated there would be a restriction on opening hours, a commitment to operating within an agreed noise contour and a programme of noise monitoring, as well as the creation of 170 new jobs.

Following the previous application, the hard runway size has been reduced by 25% and the aircraft direction for approaching and departing has been changed, “which will futher reduce noise levels”.

Jeremy Taylor, chief executive of Gatwick Diamond Business Association, believes that the proposed runway at Redhill Aerodrome will be an important addition to the local transport infrastructure, adding choice for both business and leisure travellers.

He thinks that it will also add to the attractiveness of the local area for businesses that are making location decisions, allowing them to connect to other locations.

He said: “We welcome any proposal that enhances our local transport infrastructure, as long as the impact to the environment is minimised, and so [we] fully support this revised proposal by Redhill Aerodrome Ventures Ltd to replace the existing runways with a new hard runway and associated infrastructure.”

http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/s/2114631_redhill_aerodrome_checks_in_with_hard_runway_plan

 


 

16 December 2011  (BBC)

Second council turns down Redhill runway plan

The owners of a grass airfield in Surrey are considering appealing after a second local council turned down an application to build a hard runway.

Redhill Aerodrome wants to replace its three grass runways with a concrete one, giving it potential to increase flights from 60,000 to 85,000 a year.

Tandridge planning committee refused permission on Thursday, three weeks after Reigate and Banstead Council.

Aerodrome boss Jon Horne said it believed it had a robust case.

The aerodrome, which is home to more than 20 companies employing 350 people, has been in operation for about 80 years.

Its green belt site straddles the border between Tandridge and Reigate and Banstead.

A study carried out for Redhill Aerodrome Ventures Ltd (RAVL) showed the development could create 170 jobs and bring £8m a year into the local economy.

Opponents, including East Surrey MP Sam Gyimah, said the new runway would create an unacceptable level of noise and pollution and destroy the landscape.

Mr Horne said a decision on whether to appeal would be made fairly quickly.

“We are not going to let the grass grow under our feet,” he said.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-16223347

 


 

20 June 2011

Redhill airfield bids to build hard runway

The owners of a grass airfield in Surrey have said they plan to submit an application to build a hard runway.

Redhill Aerodrome, near South Nutfield, is to apply for planning permission to replace its three grass runways with a Tarmac one to allow all-weather flying.

Many local residents are against the scheme, which they fear will lead to further development on the site, which occupies greenbelt land.

The airfield is home to more than 20 companies, employing about 350 people.

Chris Hoskins from the Nutfield Conservation Society said: “The main concern is it’s a greenbelt site.

“We are concerned that we will see this development creeping in there and then a hard runway will potentially lead on to other facilities – increased buildings.”

Jon Horne, chief executive of Redhill Aerodrome Ventures said: “Currently there is no limit [on the number of flights] but we have said we will enter a planning agreement that would limit flights to 85,000 in any one year.

“What we have is an airfield business that has been there for 80 years. The grass runways can be unusable for up to four months of the year because they become waterlogged.”

The aerodrome said it would submit the application in July and would not expect a decision until November at the earliest.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-13845075