Ltd Assessment of the Current and Future Scope to Utilise Dunsfold
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Waverley Borough Council Assessment of the current and future scope to utilise Dunsfold Aerodrome for flying act ivi ties Final Report April 2011 Ltd Contents 1. Introduction ............................................................................................. 1 1.1 Background ................................................................................................1 1.2 Layout of report ..........................................................................................1 1.3 Scope of study............................................................................................1 1.4 Historical background.................................................................................2 1.5 Planning context.........................................................................................2 2. Current aviation infrastructure and operations .................................... 3 2.1 Runway/taxiway system .............................................................................3 2.2 Aprons/aircraft parking ...............................................................................4 2.3 Hangars......................................................................................................4 2.4 Rescue and fire-fighting services................................................................5 2.5 ATC/navigation systems.............................................................................5 2.5.1 ATC control tower..........................................................................5 2.5.2 Navigational aids ...........................................................................5 2.5.3 Flight paths....................................................................................6 2.5.4 Instrument Landing System (ILS)...................................................6 2.5.5 ATC constraints .............................................................................7 2.6 Customs and immigration..........................................................................8 2.7 CAA licence...............................................................................................8 2.8 Permitted Development Rights ..................................................................9 2.9 Surface access........................................................................................10 2.10 Urbanisation ............................................................................................11 2.11 Aircraft movements..................................................................................11 2.12 Airport charges ........................................................................................11 3. Comparison with neighbouring airports/airfields............................... 12 3.1 London Gatwick.......................................................................................12 3.2 Farnborough............................................................................................12 3.3 Fairoaks ..................................................................................................13 3.4 Blackbushe..............................................................................................13 3.5 Lasham ...................................................................................................14 3.6 Redhill .....................................................................................................14 3.7 Shoreham................................................................................................15 3.8 Sywell......................................................................................................15 3.9 Biggin Hill ................................................................................................16 3.10 Southend.................................................................................................16 3.11 Cambridge...............................................................................................17 3.12 Wolverhampton .......................................................................................17 3.13 Others .....................................................................................................18 4. Intensification of aviation use .............................................................. 18 4.1 Proposed increase in movement limit .....................................................18 4.2 Outline of options.....................................................................................19 4.3 Commercial airport ..................................................................................20 4.4 Corporate/business aviation ....................................................................21 4.5 Aircraft maintenance................................................................................22 4.6 Specialist freight-only airport ...................................................................22 4.7 Flight training/private ...............................................................................23 4.8 Implications for continuation of non-aviation use .....................................24 4.9 Implications for non-aviation site development ........................................24 5. Conclusions.......................................................................................... 24 Appendices Appendix A: Photographs of Dunsfold and other comparable airfields Appendix B: Study brief 1. Introduction 1.1 Background This report has been prepared by Alan Stratford and Associates Limited on behalf of Waverley Borough Council. It relates to a study on the potential options for the intensification of aviation use at Dunsfold Aerodrome (often referred to as Dunsfold Park). Waverley Borough Council is the Local Planning Authority with responsibility for Dunsfold Aerodrome. Dunsfold Aerodrome is situated some 8.5 miles to the SE of Godalming in Surrey. Initially built as an airfield during the Second World War, it was subsequently used by Hawker Siddeley (subsequently British Aerospace) for the development and manufacturer of military aircraft. Following the withdrawal of BAe Systems (the successors to British Aerospace) in 2000, the aerodrome was purchased by the Rutland Group, who formed the airfield operating company, Dunsfold Park Ltd. The existing buildings are now used for a variety of commercial and light industrial purposes. There is some limited use of the aerodrome for flying activities associated with the aerodrome tenants. The site is also used for filming and for special events, including the production of the BBC programme, ‘Top Gear’. A copy of the Study Brief is attached as Appendix B. 1.2 Layout of report The report comprises an introductory section providing details of the scope of the review, an overview of the historical background to the aerodrome and the planning context for the study. This is followed by a review of the current aviation infrastructure at the aerodrome, including current operational procedures and operations (Section 2), a comparative analysis of neighbouring airfields and airports (Section 3), an evaluation of the options for intensification of aviation use (Section 4). Our conclusions are given in Section 5. 1.3 Scope of study The study has been undertaken at a strategic level to assess the possible options for expanding aviation at Dunsfold Aerodrome. No detailed site survey of either the site or the existing aerodrome infrastructure has been undertaken. The study has been based on publicly available information and data available about the airfield together with some limited additional information supplied by Dunsfold Park Ltd. It is recognised that, due to the current uncertainty about the future development of the airfield, its owners are reluctant to disclose any detailed plans or financial data concerning the airfield’s operations. Given the lack of available data, the commercial and financial viability of the various development options are assessed on a broad-brush basis only. It should also be noted that, whilst the report provides some comment on the planning and environmental implications of the possible development options, it does not provide a detailed analysis of the planning context or the likely environmental impacts of expanding aviation activity at the airfield. In the latter case, it is likely that an Environmental Impact Assessment would be required for any proposed development 1 plan, including intensification of aviation use, as submitted to Waverley Borough Council. 1.4 Historical background Dunsfold Aerodrome was built by the Canadian Army and civilian contractors in 1942 as a Class A airfield for RAF Bomber Command. In 1942, there was a significant expansion of military aviation in the UK. In southern England, some 36 sites were identified and recommended as possible new airfields, and Dunsfold was one of the first fifteen reconnoitred between 16 th and 24 th April 1942. The site was approved at the end of April, with construction commencing on 11 th May 1942. The airfield was used by the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1942-1944 and in the latter part of 1994 by the RAF Group Support Unit. After the war, the airfield was used by the RAF to repatriate prisoners of war. Dunsfold was declared inactive by the RAF in 1946 but was used by the air charter company Skyways until 1950. Skyways undertook air freight charters including support for the Berlin Airlift as well as aircraft maintenance and refurbishment at the aerodrome. By 1947, some 1,300 company staff