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National
Kali Lindsay

Council make U-turn on Eshott Airfield restrictions - but military and Coastguard still banned

An airfield boss has vowed to keep fighting a ban on military and emergency aircrafts landing on the site - as a local authority makes a u-turn on other restrictions.

Eshott Airfield bosses have been embroiled in a fight with Northumberland County Council over numerous rules that have been imposed on the site, including the banning of military aircrafts and the Coastguard except in emergencies.

Other restrictions included the banning of aircrafts from landing before 9am, which led to an airfield holding area being created.

READ MORE: Number of highly paid officer positions at Northumberland County Council slashed from 20 to 15 to save £1m

There were also told pilots camping next to their aircraft would be met with enforcement action.

While vehicles have also been banned from entering the site before 9am and after 7pm, which meant evening events had to be cancelled and future charity fundraisers were put in doubt.

Mr Pike said a ban on military and emergency aircraft remains after the council has backtracked on a number of issues.

The Civil Aviation Authority also confirmed that the airfield can't legally stop aircrafts from landing before 9am, he said.

He said: "The CAA said that anyone landing outside of the hours of 9am and 7pm is not the airfield's fault.

"They are writing to the council to say the airfield hasn't done anything wrong.

"If the council does not agree with this we will apply to have unrestricted operating hours.

"We had a 12 month trial from 7am until 11pm and 50 aircraft landed outside this time, many just outside of it.

"They have said there won't be enforcement action if a pilot camps next to their aircraft, it only happens occasionally - it isn't Leeds festival."

Mr Pike said restrictions on vehicles not being allowed on the site after 7pm, including car park, meant visits from local Scout and Cadet groups had to be cancelled and popular fundraising events were in jeopardy.

But they have been told they won't face any enforcement action if these events take place.

He said: "The council keep saying 'We didn't say that', no you didn't say that but when you put what you have said into real life we can't do these things."

The ban on military and emergency aircraft landing still remains in place but Mr Pike has vowed to fight the ban and is preparing to put an application into the council.

He added: "The military and emergency helicopters account for 1% of the airfield's movement each year.

"I imagine when the application goes in that it will be bombarded with comments.

"More than half a million people have been on our Facebook page in the last four days and the public all support the airfield. Why would anyone not support the military and Coastguard landing to refuel or train?

He added: "I feel like we are in a cross between Clarkson's Farm and the Vicar of Dibley with the council just making these crazy decisions with no rational thought."

A spokesman for Northumberland County Council said: "The Council remain in correspondence with the airfield operators regarding the outstanding matters at the site, including the proposed use for camping."

A UK Civil Aviation Authority spokesman they are aware of the ongoing discussions between Northumberland County Council and Eshott Airfield and this is a matter for them.

He added: "We continue to engage with and provide advice and guidance on matters to both parties to ensure safety at the Airfield is not compromised.”

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