BREAKING NEWS: Council begins compulsory purchase proceedings at Wellesbourne Airfield

Stratford-on-Avon District Council has begun compulsory purchase order (CPO) proceedings for Wellesbourne Airfield.

The District Council has written to Mr M Littler one of the owners of the site to inform him of the District Council’s intention to commence negotiations with Littler Investments Limited with a view to purchasing and protecting Wellesbourne Airfield as a working airfield.

This is the first stage of the CPO process to give Littler Investments Limited the opportunity to engage with the District Council, with a view to a voluntary sale of the site. They have until Wednesday 11 July to respond to this, following which if they do not engage with the District Council then CPO proceedings will commence.

Cllr Tony Jefferson, Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council said: “Wellesbourne Airfield is an important facility within Stratford-on-Avon District. There is a clear policy position under the District Council’s adopted Core Strategy 2011-2031 that the site be preserved for aviation purposes. The actions of Littler Investments Limited in terminating the leases of businesses operating on the site; wishing to demolish existing buildings on the site and the agreements with Gladman Developments Limited are all in direct opposition to this policy position. The District Council has now decided to use its Compulsory Purchase Order powers in order to maintain the current planning use of the site.”

The District Council has also requested that the businesses on site be given temporary tenancies to preserve the livelihood of the 100 employees.

Reacting to the news Mike Roberts, from Take Flight Aviation, said: "I'm delighted that the council are following through on their support for the airfield, this is absolutely brilliant news for all the businesses."

For the full story and reaction read this Thursday's Herald.