27 October 2006
Redhill future as an aerodrome is again in question as an aerodrome, according to a recent report in the Reigate and Redhill edition of the Surrey Mirror (<a href=”http://icsurreyonline.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0800redhillandreigate/tm_headline=aerodrome-could-become–new-village-%26method=full%26objectid=17979302%26siteid=50101-name_page.html” target=”_blank”>click here for the story</a>).
The paper reports that the aerodrome’s owner, Redhill Aerodrome Ventures Ltd (RAVL), is considering two options: Paul Dimoldenberg, spokesman for RAVL, is quoted as saying: “One of the proposals is for a new sustainable settlement [a new ‘village’]. The other is to improve the existing infrastructure and flying facilities.”
RAVL has previously tried to gain approval for plans to turn the airfield into a larger, passenger-based airport. It is situated, of course, very close to Gatwick.
The alternate plan, to build housing on the site, is likely to meet with a great deal of local opposition. Dimoldenberg again: “The favoured option would be a new settlement, But that does not rule out the option of investing in the future infrastructure and facilities of the aerodrome.”
The aerodrome is currently classified as green belt land.
