THERE will be an update on the plans for Old Sarum Airfield at the Laverstock & Ford Parish Council next week. 

There are plans to submit a new planning application on the site, and the owners have been working on a new, revised scheme following last year's High Court judgement. 

Directors of the First World War airfield announced in June last year that they will be sharing new proposals, which will “ensure the landmark heritage site will be restored and its long-term future secured” but also “take into consideration” the views of the planning inspector, Historic England and Mr Justice Knowles who gave a ruling in a High Court Appeal.

Specific details of the revised plans have not yet been revealed, but the Journal understands these could include the demolition of non-listed buildings in the Conservation Area; repair of existing buildings, and around 320 new homes. 

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The request for the review was submitted after an application was refused to build 462 homes and create a “flying hub”, complete with a heritage centre, visitor centre, restaurant, and new control tower.

The airfield and its architectural and heritage teams have been working with Historic England for the last 18 months and “the pre-application discussions with them have outlined a way forward that would protect and celebrate this historical site”.

If the new redevelopment goes through, a big part of it would be "the complete refurbishment" of the hangars on the airfield. 

The Journal understands that in October last year Wiltshire Council received an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Scoping Opinion.

This is an application to determine the information that needs to be submitted with an Environmental Statement to accompany a planning application, should one be submitted in the future.

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The submission of this type of Scoping Opinion doesn’t mean that a planning application will be submitted, but is an indication that one may be submitted in due course.

The description of the EIA Scoping Opinion includes the demolition of non-listed buildings in the Conservation Area; repair of existing buildings; 15ha of residential development (approx. 320 dwellings); employment, access and associated infrastructure.

When the decision has been made, it will be published alongside other relevant documents on the planning pages of the council’s website.

Representations from local residents can not be submitted for this type of application as it is only a technical process to determine the information to be submitted.

Residents will be consulted on the planning application if one is submitted in the future.

The meeting is on Monday, February 20, at 7pm at River Bourne Community Farm. 

For more information or for how to attend via Zoom, go to https://laverstock-ford.co.uk/agendas---minutes-2023-1.html