Botolph Claydon. Photo: Jon S CC-BY-SA-2.0

Botolph Claydon. Photo: Jon S CC-BY-SA-2.0

Planners have grounded plans for microlights to continue flying from a site next to three footpaths.

Aylesbury Vale District Council refused and application for retrospective consent for flying at Bernwood Farm, Botolph Claydon in Buckinghamshire.

Botolph Claydon Quiet Society, backed by the Open Spaces Society, opposed the bid, saying the flying of the aircraft from the farm would shatter the peace of the tranquil area.

The OSS said the runways cross or pass close to three public footpaths, including the Bernwood Jubilee Way

The district council refused consent because of the impact of the noise and movements of aircraft taking off, landing and taxiing on the rural tranquillity of the village and on users’ enjoyment of the adjacent paths.

Kate Ashbrook, general secretary of the Open Spaces Society: “This is a splendid victory for this lovely countryside, those who live there and those who visit.  We trust that all microlight activity here will now cease.”

If approved, the proposals would have allowed between 1,300 and 1,500 aircraft movements a year.

Ms Ashbrook also expressed surprise that the owner of the farm Sir Edmund Verney did not oppose the plans, as he is president of the Buckinghamshire branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, the aims of which include the promotion of the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England.

“Microlights hardly promote tranquillity,” she added.

Some articles the site thinks might be related:

  1. Trust’s 3.8 million members called to arms over Government planning threats
  2. Victory for campaigners as Government announces u-turn on forests
  3. Queen’s green message finds favour with access campaigners
  4. Pennine town is a ‘pioneer’ says campaigner