Decision details

Nomination of Andrewsfield Airfield including runway, Stebbing, as an Asset of Community Value

Decision Maker: Assets of Community Value and Local Heritage List Committee

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

Uttlesford District Council (UDC) had received a valid nomination to include the Andrewsfield Airfield in its List of Assets of Community Value (ACV).

Decisions:

The Planning Policy Officer presented a report asking Members to consider the nomination of Andrewsfield Airfield, Stebbing, as an Asset of Community Value (AoCV). The nomination had been made by Stebbing Parish Council. In addition to the nomination and associated information submitted by the Parish Council, the Committee had before it rpersentations in favour of the listing from :

:

           Councillors Evans and Merifield for Felsted and Stebbing

           Michael Derrett, a part owner of an aircraft using the airfield

           John Gilder (Vice Chair of the General Aviation Awareness Council)

 

The majority of the Site falls within the Uttlesford district; land on the eastward side of the site falls within Braintree District.

In 2018, the Clubhouse and Millibar Cafe, ancillary buildings and car park at Andrewsfield Airfield had been listed as an AoCV.

 

Members considered whether there was a current use of the land that furthered the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community; and

whether it was realistic to think that community use could continue.

 

Members concluded that the current recreational flying use of the airfield furthers the social wellbeing and social interests of the local community and is a principal use. Members identified the “local community” as being made up of residents of Uttlesford and Braintree Districts.

 

The Committee noted that the eastern end of the runway and triangular open area where the aeroplanes are parked was not included in the nomination, yet was integral to the working of the airfield.  Ideally these would have been included in the nomination.  This part of the land lies in the Braintree district.  Any nomination in relation to this part of the site would need to be made to Braintree District Council.

 

The Committee then considered whether it was realistic to think that community use of the airfield land could continue to further the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community. It concluded that it was realistic.

 

The Committee considered whether the whole of the site nominated should be listed. A large part of the nominated site consists of two private agricultural fields, without public access or footpath.  The Committee’s view was that these should not be listed as they did not meet the statutory criteria.

 

The Assistant Director, Governance and Legal, said he would capture the discussion in a decision notice, which would be circulated to members to check for accuracy before publication.

 

On the proposal of Cllr Lees, seconded by Cllr Eke, the Committee.

 

 Resolved:

 

1.    To list the nominated area of Andrewsfield Airfield falling within Uttlesford District Council, as shown in the plan, as an asset of community value.

 

2.    Not to list as an asset of community value the agricultural fields falling within the nomination and shown on the plan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meeting Closed 12:10pm

 

Publication date: 25/06/2020

Date of decision: 18/06/2020

Decided at meeting: 18/06/2020 - Assets of Community Value and Local Heritage List Committee

Effective from: 03/07/2020

Accompanying Documents: