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York Aviation HAMBLETON DISTRICT COUNCIL BAGBY AIRFIELD - ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE PLANNING APPLICATIONS Final Report February 2011 Originated by: Richard Connelly Dated: 9th February 2011 Reviewed by: Louise Congdon Dated: 9th February 2011 York Aviation HAMBELTON DISTRICT COUNCIL BAGBY AIRFIELD - ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE PLANNING APPLICATIONS Contents Page 1 BACKGROUND...............................................................................................1 2 NEED FOR DEVELOPMENT ..........................................................................3 3 HISTORIC AND CURRENT OPERATIONS ..................................................10 4 IMPLICATIONS OF COMPLETED DEVELOPMENTS..................................23 5 IMPLICATIONS OF THE TOTAL SCHEME ..................................................28 6 PLANNING CONTROLS AND CONDITIONS ...............................................31 7 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS..............................................38 APPENDICES A York Aviation Experience in General Aviation B List of Documents C Plan of Alternative Airfields Hambleton District Council Bagby Airfield Assessment 1 BACKGROUND 1.1 York Aviation LLP (YAL) was commissioned in January 2011 by Hambleton District Council (Hambleton DC) to provide expert aviation advice in relation to Planning Applications submitted by Bagby Airfield in North Yorkshire. The applications have each been refused planning permission and appeals have been initiated by the Applicant1. The appeal is due to be heard at a Public Inquiry in March 2011. This report has been prepared for Hambleton DC in order to provide an understanding of the implications of the works and to assist the Public Inquiry. In Appendix A we set out our experience of working in General Aviation. 1.2 In order to undertake this study, we have reviewed relevant documents provided by Tim Wood, Development Manager at Hambleton District Council, which are listed in Appendix B. We have also undertaken a site visit in late January and spoken on site with Steve Hoyle, Airfield Manager, and also representatives of two of the businesses based on site, Graham Fox Maintenance and Swift TG Maintenance. 1.3 Additionally, we have drawn upon previous studies that we have undertaken in relation to General Aviation, including consultations with airfields and operators within the sector. To support these, and to probe specific queries in relation to these applications, we have undertaken further consultations with airfields and also with a provider of runway matting of the type used on site and which forms part of the applications. 1.4 The developments proposed are: 4 Extension to an aircraft hangar (an increase of 198m2); 4 New maintenance workshop (804m2); 4 New fuel stops with capacity for 40,000 litres of Avgas and 40,000 litres of JET-A1; 1 We are aware that the forthcoming Public Inquiry will also consider enforcement action being taken by the Council against a number of developments at the Airfield which have been implemented without planning approval. For simplicity, this Report refers to the works dependent on the Planning Applications regardless of whether such works are covered by an Enforcement Notice or not. York Aviation LLP 1 Hambleton District Council Bagby Airfield Assessment 4 Five new hangars of 300m2 (of which one has been built already); 4 One new hangar of 520m2; 4 Replacement clubhouse including 3 overnight en-suite rooms. 2 York Aviation LLP Hambleton District Council Bagby Airfield Assessment 2 NEED FOR DEVELOPMENT 2.1 With any significant development, or redevelopment, at an airfield or airport, it would be expected that as part of the Planning Application there would be a clear justification for the works set out. In our experience, applications of this nature should include: 4 Comparative projections of movements, both with and without the proposals; 4 Some form of business case, to justify the need and explain what each facility will be used for, including the likely demand for such facilities; 4 The alternatives available to meet the need; and 4 Some explanation of benefits to the local community. 2.2 In the case of the Bagby Airfield applications, we do not believe that the Applicant has provided sufficient justification to understand fully the impacts of the proposals in total, nor the benefits to be derived or the implications of each individual element of the proposals. Whilst the Applicant has submitted some information in support of an assessment of current (or baseline traffic), this appears to be inadequate and potentially unsound as discussed in Section 3 of this report. 2.3 Whilst we will consider the possible effects of the development in terms of operations in later sections of this report, it is appropriate to consider the possible need for the overall development at this point. York Aviation LLP 3 Hambleton District Council Bagby Airfield Assessment 2.4 Following discussions with Steve Hoyle, we understand the airfield is currently a loss-making concern, which is consistent with the position at many smaller airfields. The number of based aircraft, and therefore the income from these, has been reducing over time as we will discuss further later in this report. Prima facie, therefore, the Applicant must see benefits from spending significant sums of money on this development rather than retaining the status quo. In order for there to be a business case for the development, the Applicant must have an expectation of reducing losses, attaining break even or, potentially, moving the Airfield into profit. By necessity, this would imply increased movement activity at the Airfield, as profit is likely to be driven by growth in airfield activity. 2.5 The proposed developments could alter the financial position as a result of one or more of the following: 4 The new hangars will be perceived to have a higher value to users, thereby increasing hangarage income from resident aircraft displaced from existing hangars; 4 The current option for outside aircraft storage will be removed, leading to higher storage charges from the limited number of aircraft which are currently parked on the grass areas; 4 The new hangars will increase the number of based aircraft; 4 The maintenance firms based on site, and paying better commercial rates for their hangars, require more hangarage in order to expand their operations; 4 The matting provided on site could lead to an extended season or bring improved reliability, which in turn could lead to more users being willing to base aircraft at Bagby, or at least could make it more attractive to visitors including those using the maintenance facilities, leading to increased landing charges2; 4 More structured refuelling facilities would encourage greater use, particularly in relation to refuelling helicopters with JET-A1 fuel leading to increased income; and 2 Based aircraft are not charged individual landing fees. They pay for their hangarage/parking costs for the year and are permitted unlimited flights with no further charges. Therefore improvements in reliability will not benefit the Airfield from these activities unless the total number of based aircraft can be increased. 4 York Aviation LLP Hambleton District Council Bagby Airfield Assessment 4 The new club house would be attractive to potential new members and encourage an increase in membership, including revenue from overnight stays. 2.6 Whilst not all of the above sources of potential income would involve increased flying over the existing level, many of them do. Without further explanation from the Appellant as to the need for the proposed developments, we can only conclude that there will be some increase in flying (when compared to the current existing level of use) as a result of the development. Otherwise there appears to be no commercial logic for the works. 2.7 During the site visit, we spoke with the two maintenance firms based on site, Graham Fox Maintenance and Swift TG Maintenance. Graham Fox confirmed that they would like to expand and they understand the allocated area within their replacement hangar will increase their capacity to 3 aircraft. Although the Company parks some aircraft outside, these tend to be aircraft which are with the Company for prolonged periods and so are unlikely to take up the new maintenance bay in the new hangar. Therefore the new maintenance bay will allow expansion of the business and this will lead to an increase in movements. 2.8 Swift TG Maintenance also expressed a desire for increased facilities, both for maintenance but also because they are involved in the manufacture of aircraft3 and would like to be able to consolidate all of their activities onto one site, especially as the current aircraft factory at Kirkbymoorside no longer has an operational runway4. Swift indicated that they would need additional hangarage for the aircraft construction and a paint shop, but that such activities are likely to fall outside of the permitted uses of the new hangars. However, such activities would support additional employment in the locality. These activities would also require a hard runway for high speed aircraft trials and, as this is not to be provided at Bagby, it is unlikely that they would consider manufacturing aircraft in this location. 3 The Europa Aircraft, www.europa-aircraft.com. 4 Currently the aircraft are sold as kits which buyers assemble themselves, however in order to sell their aircraft in greater numbers, Swift TG would like to produce ready-built aircraft themselves. York Aviation