When the Maritime Coast guard agency (MCA) and the South East of Enjgland Development Agemncy (SEEDA) purchased the Daedalus site at Lee on the Solent from the MOD. They acquired an airfield which has about 100 civilian airplanes, many of which operate general aviation facilities. Some of the airplanes are operated commercially and others are privately owned.
The MCA has delegated responsibility for the runway to Hampshire Police who operate their Britten-Norman ~Defender aircraft from Daedalus
Now after various studies and discussions, the police have said that all flying at Daedalus must stop with effect from 16 November 2007. The only exceptions are the RN Gliding Club, The Coast Guard Search and Rescue Helicopter and the police airplane.
The Lee Flying Association which represents general aviation and other groups supporting aviation at Daedalus are deeply upset by this decision. If the ban is implemented some commercial interests will be forced to move elsewhere. Some commercial interests will not be able to do this and will have to close down. There is a widespread believe that the police are acting unreasonably and that flying should continue.
Peter Viggers, the Member of Parliament for Gosport, has been involved in discussions and has raised the issue with Ministers. He said to-day “Ministers are telling me that it is an issue of safety and that safety must be paramount. This is a simplistic argument. I was a pilot and I know that safety is the first priority of all who fly. I am shocked that flying should be under threat at Daedalus particularly because there is strong local support for Daedalus to be redeveloped as a business park with an aviation and maritime engineering theme.
Flying is due to end on 16 November so this is indeed the 11th hour. I am very pleased that I will have a chance to challenge Ministers on one more occasion by raising the issue on the floor of the house as an Adjournment Debate at 6 p.m. on Thursday 15th November. I will tell Ministers in advance that a simple restatement of the closure decision will not be acceptable. What we need is a delay in the decision while we work out sensible arrangements for the continuation of flying at Daedalus. This will give us the time to work out longer term plans.”
9 November 07 |
