THE long-running battle over plans to build a hard runway at Redhill Aerodrome is not yet over.
A High Court judge has heard an appeal from Redhill Aerodrome Ltd – the company which runs the airfield in Kings Mill Lane, South Nutfield – against a planning inspector's decision to block the proposed development.
This is the latest turn of events in a four-year long planning battle which has included two separate planning applications and a public inquiry.
Last June, Reigate and Banstead Borough Council and Tandridge District Council rejected the latest proposal for a concrete runway to replace the current three grass runways at the site.
That decision was upheld by planning inspector Diane Lewis after a public inquiry in January.
But aerodrome chief executive Ann Bartaby announced the company would be likely to appeal and on June 27 a High Court judge heard arguments from all sides. The judge can either order a new public inquiry or uphold the inspector's decision.
Paul Murray from the Keep Redhill Aerodrome Green campaign group which has opposed the plans, said: "I'm not surprised aerodrome bosses went to the High Court, this is their last throw of the dice."
In April, following the inspector's decision, Mrs Bartaby announced the aerodrome would appeal to the courts because they could not find a "plan B" if the hard runway plan was refused.
She said: "As I have said there really isn't any other [option]. We are looking at every option we can to try and increase the level of activity from the base. There's no alternative that you could call plan B."
Aerodrome chiefs argue the new runway, which has been opposed by residents, two parish councils – Nutfield and Salfords and Sidlow – and both Reigate MP Crispin Blunt and East Surrey MP Sam Gyimah is vital because heavy rain currently puts the airfield's grass runways out of action.
Mrs Bartaby could not be contacted for a comment before the Mirror went to press.
