Present: Janice Tan – Maidstone Borough Council (on behalf of

Chris Hawkins of Planning

Brian Bristow – Smarden Parish Council

Lyn Selby – Headcorn Parish Council

Roger L Munn – Staplehurst Parish Council

Lester J Gosbee– Frittenden Parish Council

Jenny Gibson – MBC Councillor

Tony Hill – Skybus Ballooning

James Tuke – Thurston Helicopters

Jamie Freeman – Headcorn Aerodrome

Sue Line - Headcorn Aerodrome (Secretary)

Joining Later:

Glyn Richards – Tiger Club

David Parker – Headcorn Parachute Club

Subject to the words Glyn Edwards being changed to Glyn Richards, and Tony Hill being added to the list of those present, Minutes were signed and accepted.

Lyn Selby asked about news on the Cessna Caravan and Jamie Freeman confirmed that it was already on the aerodrome and being used. He has concerns that the exhaust would burn the grass but had ordered steel plate as moveable ground mats for both holding points. David Parker was not present at this point but it was confirmed by Jamie Freeman and James Tuke that the Islander was being used for low lifts, was possibly being hired out to other drop zones, and was a standby for the Cessna Caravan although it was felt that David Parker was thinking of selling. Brian Bristow asked if this aircraft would be at the aerodrome all the year round and Jamie Freeman confirmed it would be if it proved reliable. Lyn Selby asked how many people it could take and Jamie Freeman explained that it could take up to 14 people whereas the Let aircraft could take 15. There had been no complaints since its use and James Tuke and Jamie Freeman emphasized that it was much quieter.

Lyn Selby asked about the Sukhoi and Jamie Freeman understood that this aircraft was still in Spain. It was possible it could return to England for the Nationals but it was felt that this would be in the north of England. However, Jamie Freeman had not spoken to the owner.

It was noted by the Committee that the Maidstone River Festival was now being held and Jamie Freeman said he was pleased about this.

Janice Tan had been asked to attend the meeting on behalf of Chris Hawkins and specifically to explain that it was not possible to arrange the meeting which was discussed in the previous Minutes. The Chairman, representatives of the businesses on the aerodrome and the Parish and Borough Councillors expressed surprise and concern about this as they had felt that this suggestion was an excellent way forward on this planning application and would enable Members of the Planning Committee to make an informed decision on this long outstanding planning application. Janice Tan reiterated that it was not possible to do this as it was not MBC procedure although she suggested that Jamie Freeman could submit as much information to the Planning Committee as he wished. Jamie Freeman said that it would give everyone an opportunity to get an idea of the aircraft and to see things for themselves and make things clearer. Lyn Selby said she felt it would be a good idea and James Tuke agreed. There followed a discussion as to whether it was appropriate or legal to instigate a private initiative to invite Members to the aerodrome so that the situation could be made clearer to them. Janice Tan said that it was not possible to arrange that. When an application is heard at Committee Members may decide to arrange a site meeting and defer the discussion.

Jamie Freeman understood that it had already been deferred because one member wanted to visit the site and it was then decided to invite everyone to the site so that they could be kept informed. Jamie Freeman explained that he did not want this to be termed as lobbying, simply keeping Members informed. After discussion Jenny Gibson suggested that Jamie Freeman should contact Richard Lusty direct so that this matter could be moved on. It was agreed that this application had been with the Planning Committee for a long time.

James Tuke asked what the procedure would be and Janice Tan said that possibly if the Committee was unable to reach a decision the Committee Members could agree that a site meeting be arranged. Jenny Gibson said that it used to be that individual Members would be able to undertake their own research. Janice Tan said that this planning application could be withdrawn and represented and issued with a new number and then treated as a fresh planning application, but Jamie Freeman preferred to remain with the existing application number MA04/1304/S. Jamie Freeman confirmed that he had been working between the aerodrome and the Council with Liz Fisher, Anna Bloomfield of Bloomfields, and the new Planning Officer and had got to a point where the application had gone to Committee, then MBC staff had changed and we had now had Chris Hawkins and were having to re-educate people.

Brian Bristow said that generally the surrounding villages would support the application; Lyn Selby said there would be support if there were to be less noise, and Jamie Freeman reconfirmed that Headcorn Aerodrome was the only aerodrome in the UK which has this condition. Roger Munn raised the question as to whether this would mean that more aircraft would come in and Jamie Freeman confirmed that he felt it was not likely. Helicopters did not need an aerodrome to take off or land from so were free to go where they liked, although they might come in for fuel. Also, helicopters do not like coming here unless they have to because of the parachuting facility.

Janice Tan said that if Jamie Freeman had any additional information he should send this to Chris Hawkins and Jamie Freeman said it as unlikely. Lyn Selby said if you say the word ‘turbine’ people immediately think ‘jet’ which they feel they do not want. But James Tuke and Jamie Freeman said that "turbine" is propeller driven and encased. James Tuke also confirmed that, for the reasons mentioned above, turbine helicopters do not normally want to come in, although future developments will make such machines more common and quieter.

Jamie Freeman felt that there should be a preliminary meeting although Janice Tan reported that the procedure would not allow for this. Jamie Freeman said that in the event of any preliminary meeting being held he would like to attend to put the aerodrome’s case forward.

It was felt that the local villages would support finding out about the ins and outs of the application and would welcome a chance to come to the airfield to find out. Jenny Gibson said that if Members attended it would be for information only and not with a view to committing themselves to a decision.

Glyn Richards arrived at this point.

No correspondence had been received.

Jamie Freeman said that he had received a complaint from a resident in Water Lane about aircraft and he confirmed to the Committee that he would go and see the lady concerned personally. Following the description of the location Lester Gosbee felt sure that this was in the parish of Headcorn and Jamie Freeman and James Tuke said it seemed that she would certainly be over-flown on runway 29 although on runway 11 this should be considerably quieter. It seemed that she was on the crosswind part of the circuit. The question was asked whether this lady was a new resident in the area.

David Parker arrived at this point.

With apologies for his delay in attending David Parker wished to make reference to the previous Minutes on the subject of the Islander. He wanted the Committee to be aware that he intended to keep the Islander for use when the Cessna Caravan was on check or in for maintenance of any kind. However, finances dictated that it was in the interest of his business to make as full use of the Cessna Caravan as possible.

Proms:

Organisation for this was going on slowly. Headcorn Special Events had hired a local company to look after the day events of steam engines, stalls, food, bar in field and so on. Jamie Freeman had a reliable man running that side of it so should be no problem. However, Headcorn Special Events were still employing another 3 security staff on top of the 2 existing staff to keep an eye on things. He was not expecting too much in the way of trouble but you never know. The balloon lift was coming on and Jamie Freeman hoped that people might be glad of an attractive local event which they could support as on the Saturday 23^rd August there would be a balloon lift, then the family day, then the early evening balloon lift, followed by the evening Proms. On the Sunday 24^th August there would be similar events, a balloon lift, then a family day, then music with local bands supported by KMFM, then a further balloon lift, then Abba Magic and then Rumours of Fleetwood Mac. It was hoped that Mick Fleetwood would attend as this was the only tribute group that he supported although Headcorn Special Events were not advertising his attendance in their publicity. There followed a discussion about prices for the various events and prices increased for each of the events the nearer you got to the day.

Brian Bristow mentioned the question of the Tiger in the field at Frittenden and Glyn Richards of the Tiger Club made a special thank you to Roger Munn for his support and use of his equipment in disassembling the Tiger and loading it onto the low loader.

Jamie Freeman had flown the Rt Rev Bishop Stephen and Rev Alex Bienfait around the Parishes of Smarden and Biddenden.

Next Meeting

Tuesday 7^th October at 2.30 Wings, Headcorn Aerodrome

Meeting finished 3.22

HACC100608