Mr M Scott, Bagby Airfield, Bagby, Thirsk, North - Hambleton District ...

hangar space and refurbishment of the existing hangar B together has the
potential to increase the number of flights particularly during the winter months.
229. As noted by the manufacturers of matting and by a user of a Pilot Web
forum “there is black plastic mesh that has been laid down into the runways
surface to help with drainage and serviceability during the winter months which
may look like tarmac…” (Flyer Forums 4 th June 2007) The appellant’s response
to the 2009 Enforcement Notice records that the laying of the matting and
concrete took place within the 4 year period preceding the service of the notice.
230. The works represent a significant investment in the infrastructure at the
airfield. It is reasonable to conclude that the investments are a business
proposition and that they should provide a financial return to the investor. To
achieve increased income additional visits would be required to allow uplifts of
fuel, provision of servicing repair, modification or other aero engineering
activities, provision of hospitality, training or other commercial and social
activities. The development proposals would result in increased activity above
that which is lawful at the airfield.
231. Drawing any conclusion on the number of flights per year over the last 10
years is made more difficult by the changed facilities at the airfield. It is likely that
the lawful number of flights annual is in the order of 4567. This is the figure
quoted by York Aviation (Appendix 1 Section 3) as the total movements excluding
those of G-SKYC which York Aviation note may give rise to a further 1000
movements per annum. However the records available do not show G-SKYC (or
a similar alternative aircraft) to have operated consistently from Bagby Airfield for
all of the previous 10 years and therefore should be excluded from the lawful use
figure.
232. Following the methodology in the York Aviation report with the assumption
of splits between summer time and winter time flying (excluding the fly-in days)
the following conclusion can be reached.
Hambleton District Council - Tim Wood – Proof of Evidence - 52 -