Plea to save airfield earmarked for 4,250 homes

Campaigners working to save a popular airfield are urging supporters to respond to a new consultation on plans turn it into a "garden village".

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council's draft local plan includes proposals for 4,250 new homes on Popham Airfield in Hampshire.

After a 2024 consultation, the council indicated Popham would be removed from the plan, but new national guidance means the borough must now accommodate 20,000 new homes by 2042 - 6,300 more than previously required.

It said including the airfield "wasn't an easy decision", but unless it planned for the new homes it would lose control over where development takes place.

The BBC attempted to contact the airfield's owners but has not yet received a response.

According to campaign group Popham Airfield Matters, there are about 20,000 annual aircraft movements at Popham and last year it welcomed about 70,000 visitors.

It said the airfield, which held its 50th anniversary celebrations in August, was home to 150 aircraft, has 530 club members and hosts classic car shows, fly-ins and trade shows.

Strategic planning and infrastructure councillor Andy Konieczko said: "Including sites like Popham Airfield again, which we consulted on in spring last year, wasn't an easy decision.

"This site was put forward by the landowner and we are undertaking more research to better understand the role of the airfield.

"However, if we don't plan for these extra homes, we risk losing even more control over where, when and how development happens."

In its response to the 2024 consultation the Civil Aviation Authority described Popham as "an important component in the network of general aviation airfields" and "in the top 30th percentile in a study of nearly 1,000 airfields".

Popham Airfield Matters, a 2,500-strong group made up of pilots and members of the community, is fundraising to pay consultants and legal fees to help protect it from development.

Residents have until 23 January to submit their views to the consultation.

There will also be a series of drop-in events across the borough, the first of which is at the Warren Centre in Micheldever Station on 6 January from 14:00 to 20:00 GMT.

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