MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

THE HEADCORN AERODROME CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 11 OCTOBER 2005

PRESENT:            Jamie Freeman (Chairman), Sue Line, Colin Highwood, Jerry Knight, Lyn Selby, James Tuke, Miranda Kelly, Roger Munn, Brian Bristow, Jenefer Gibson, Alan Marsh, Clemm Quinn and Gill Gymer.

1.            APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence were received from Liz Fisher and David Parker.

2.            MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

AGREED:

That subject to Bridget Dungey being identified as representing Headcorn Parish Council and Allan Bradshaw being identified as representing Maidstone Borough Council  and paragraph 4 being amended with a paragraph break included and it being clear that the restriction referred to related to turbine engine aircraft the minutes of the meeting held on 7 July 2005 be approved as a correct record and signed.

3.            MATTERS ARISING

The Committee were told that the Sukhoi was currently in pieces and had been for most of the year.  The Sukhoi went to Spain for the European Nationals but the weather had been too bad for it to return for the British Nationals.

The Planning Application for evening flying had been refused by MBC and an appeal was going to the Secretary of State. This may take up to a year before a decision was made.

4.            PLANNING APPLICATIONS

Jamie Freeman told the Committee that no decision had been made by MBC Planning Department regarding a change to the planning condition regarding turbine/propeller aircraft. The proposed list would detail which aircraft would be allowed to land and take off from Headcorn Aerodrome. Jamie Freeman told the group that there were very few aircraft left from the turbine era that were still noisy, most now had quieter replacement engines.

Noise readings had been taken at the Aerodrome over a busy weekend. MBC had been in attendance to monitor the exercise.

As reported earlier it was reiterated that the appeal process against the refusal for permission for evening flying was extremely slow. It was anticipated that it would take up to a year for a decision from the Secretary of State. The government were trying to speed up the process. It was hoped that the matter would be resolved during the winter.

5.            CORRESPONDENCE

Jamie Freeman told the group that he had received a number of telephone complaints which he had logged. However he had received no written complaints.

6.         ANY OTHER BUSINES

Jamie Freeman told the Committee that the Headcorn Flying Proms event had been a great success despite dreadful weather on the day of the Prom. People still turned up determined to make a day of it. 3,500 tickets had been sold and the event broke even. JF intended holding another Prom in 2006. A lot had been learnt from the event – the first of its kind at Headcorn Aerodrome – for example at future events the access would be widened and a burger van would not be required. The balloon glow spectacular had succumbed to the weather, there was a freak gust of wind and balloons had to be collapsed across the runway. This led to some minor injuries. Colin Highwood told the group that in his opinion the Flying Prom had been well organised, no complaints had been received and if it was improved next year it would develop into an excellent event. Lyn Selby told the group that she had been surprised at how many people in Headcorn had been unaware of the event. JF responded that posters had been all around the village.

JF said that the Aerodrome was approaching the winter which was usually a quiet time of the year. Hopefully no complaints would be received during the winter.

A list of fuel supplied at other airfields was circulated. It was clear that Headcorn was the only airfield that could not accept turbine aircraft. JF explained to the group that permission to accept turbines would not significantly increase air traffic at the aerodrome as the runway was not long enough to accept larger aircraft. Turbine engines had developed over the past 20 years and they were now much quieter than piston engines. Some piston engines were now being changed to diesel fuel which made them quieter.

It was felt that it would be very helpful for a Planning Officer to attend future meetings as they would be able to assist the group on the details of planning issues.

7.         DATE OF NEXT MEETING

AGREED:

That the next meeting be held on 7 March 2006 in Wings at Headcorn Aerodrome at 2.30 pm