Potential self-builders trying to find a novel and traditionally wealthy setting might quickly have the possibility to assemble their dream residence at one in all Britain’s oldest airfields.
Previous Sarum Airfield, which has stood for the reason that First World Conflict, is ready to be reworked after receiving define planning permission for 315 new houses – with at the least 5% of the plots reserved for self and customized builds.
The accepted 18.6-hectare scheme, situated close to Salisbury means serviced plots will likely be made out there for people or households trying to design and construct their very own houses inside a particular panorama formed by aviation historical past.
A minimum of 15 self construct websites included
The airfield housing improvement will ship 315 houses for round 740 folks, with 25% (79 dwellings) allotted as inexpensive housing.
In keeping with Wiltshire Council’s Native Plan, which states that any improvement of over 20 houses should embody at the least 5% serviced plots for self construct and customized construct houses, which means at the least 15 self construct plots inside the Previous Sarum improvement will likely be put aside.
These plots are designed to encourage extra various and personalised housing choices throughout the county and are anticipated to be delivered in serviced situation with entry to utilities and roads.
Housing plans transfer ahead regardless of noise and heritage issues
One of many details of rivalry within the improvement was the priority round aviation noise with parachute jumps and coaching flights beforehand producing complaints.
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Nonetheless, WIltshire Council downplayed these issues stating that flight exercise at Previous Sarum has considerably dropped lately, falling from over 47,000 flight actions in 2017 to only 4,742 in 2024.
Planning inspector Frances Mahoney added: “Whereas noise from the airfield has been a big concern for the encircling group, with the circumstances set for lowered flight exercise and noise restrictions, I’m happy that the housing improvement can proceed with out unduly affecting residents’ high quality of life.”
Flight exercise will likely be capped at 35,000 actions per yr, and flights will likely be restricted throughout night and early morning hours to minimise disruption.
A brand new chapter, respecting the outdated
Preserving the airfield’s aviation legacy was central to the planning debate. The location’s three listed hangars will likely be safeguarded, with Hangar 3, presently in poor situation, slated for full restoration earlier than greater than 160 houses may be occupied.
Wiltshire Council’s Planning Supervisor Richard Hughes emphasised that the event presents each heritage preservation and group worth.
“Whether or not or not it’s a heritage profit or just one other profit,” he mentioned, “the elimination of agricultural manufacturing exterior the airstrip and the deliberate creation of wildflower meadows would profit the conservation space and native panorama – as would the brand new path and cycle route, amenity areas and play zones.”
He additionally pointed to plans to boost the airfield’s aviation function with a brand new café, heritage centre, and management tower, a transfer he mentioned would “profit guests in addition to these actively utilizing the airfield’s flying services.”
Assembly a urgent housing want
The approval comes as Wiltshire faces a critical housing shortfall.
“The supply of 315 new dwellings – 25% of which will likely be inexpensive – is a considerable profit in a council space presently in a position to ship solely a 2.03-year housing land provide,” Hughes famous.
Alongside housing, the event will ship “a high-quality strategic panorama enchancment” designed to melt the visible affect of present industrial buildings and keep the airfield’s historic character, in accordance with Hughes.
A brand new Conservation Administration Plan will supply public entry and interpretative supplies explaining the location’s wartime significance, making certain that the airfield’s function in British historical past just isn’t forgotten.
Transferring ahead with improvement
With define planning permission now granted, the subsequent section will contain the submission of detailed proposals by means of a collection of reserved issues purposes.
These will cowl particular elements of the event equivalent to the ultimate structure, design of particular person houses, landscaping plans, and the exact restoration schedule for the historic hangars – significantly Hangar 3.
Every reserved issues utility will likely be topic to additional public session and scrutiny to make sure that the event stays consistent with each the planning circumstances and the location’s distinctive heritage.
The phased method implies that development can start as soon as the related approvals are secured, with the restoration of Hangar 3 required earlier than greater than 160 of the houses may be occupied.
Richard Hughes concluded: “I’m assured that the event will likely be of top of the range – enhancing the historic surroundings, defending residents’ amenity, and retaining flying exercise on the airfield.”
