Cambridge Gliding Club – Consultative Committee
DRAFT MINUTES OF MEETING : 1900 HRS 9TH NOVEMBER 2016 AT GRANSDEN LODGE AIRFIELD
PRESENT
John Weeks CGC Chairman Chris Davis CGC Secretary Richard Brickwood CGC President
Gerry Burne Gamlingay PC Bob Murden Little Gransden PC Ian Selkirk Great Gransden PC
APOLOGIES
Cllr Richard West Cambridgeshire County Council and Huntingdonshire District Council Cllr Sebastian Kindersley Cambridgeshire County Council and South Cambridge District Council Sally Bushby Caxton PC Mark Jefferies Little Gransden Airfield John Archer Waresley PC
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the previous meeting, held on 13th April 2016 were accepted as a correct record.
MATTERS ARISING
There were no matters arising.
CHAIRMAN ’S REPORT
John Weeks reported that the club year, ending on September 30 th , had been similar to the previous year in terms of the number of members, the number of launches and the club’s finances. In August the club held its second Cloud Rally, a flying competition for club members, which was considered to be very successful. In summer 2017 the club is planning to hold another Cloud Rally.
The second tow plane whose purchase was mentioned at the April meeting is now on-site. This is a Robin DR-400, the same as the current tow plane, and it too is fitted with a 4-bladed propeller and silencer to minimise its noise footprint. In addition, the club has improved both the entrance track and the airfield peri-tracks. The club has also ordered a second winch, due for delivery around the end of the year.
John went on to report that the club is considering applying for a variation of its current planning permission and introduced Richard Brickwood, the club’s President, to describe the club’s thoughts.
Cambridge Gliding Club, Gransden Lodge Airfield, Longstowe Road, Sandy, SG19 3EB Tel; 01767677077, Email: [email protected] For the avoidance of doubt, the only legally acceptable version of the Minutes of the Cambridge Gliding Club Consultative Committee are those signed in Public Meetings by the Chairman. They are available for public inspection at the Cambridge Gliding Centre.
PLANNING MATTERS
Richard Brickwood explained that the club obtained its original planning permission to operate the airfield as a gliding site over 25 years ago. At the time, it was not clear to the planners what impact the operations might have on local residents and as a result a number of restrictions were placed on the club’s operation
With the benefit of many years of operational experience, the club thinks it would now be appropriate to vary some of these conditions and is currently seeking advice from South Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire District Councils through submission of a pre-application. Once this advice is received the club proposes to call an additional meeting with neighbouring Parish Councils early in the New Year to present the club’s proposed variation application prior to submitting it to both District Councils.
COMPLAINTS RECEIVED SINCE LAST MEETING
Three noise complaints were received over the 6 months since the last Consultative meeting. In one case the aircraft concerned was not from the gliding club. One involved overflying of Waresley and the tug pilot was reminded of the correct flight path. The other was later said not to be serious.
MAJOR COMPETITIONS IN 2017
As stated in the Chairman’s report above the club plans to run a members’ Cloud Rally in the coming summer, between August 5 th and the 13 th . In addition, the club has offered to host the final of the Inter-club League on the weekend of September 2 nd /3 rd . The Inter-club League is a small weekend competition between local gliding clubs.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
The question of the report into the mid-air accident in May 2014 was raised. The club Secretary stated that he believed that the report had not been published, and agreed to clarify the current situation and report back.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
5th April 2017 at 19:00 hrs at the Cambridge Gliding Centre, Gransden Lodge.
Cambridge Gliding Club, Gransden Lodge Airfield, Longstowe Road, Sandy, SG19 3EB Tel; 01767677077, Email: [email protected] For the avoidance of doubt, the only legally acceptable version of the Minutes of the Cambridge Gliding Club Consultative Committee are those signed in Public Meetings by the Chairman. They are available for public inspection at the Cambridge Gliding Centre.