'Fight will go on' as airport's final day approaches

ANGRY CAMPAIGNERS SAY THEY'LL NEVER YIELD

- By GEORGE PALMER-SOADY

CAMPAIGNERS and businesses at Tollerton Airfield say they will “carry on fighting” plans to close it to build hundreds of homes.

By Friday, all businesses - including Nottingham City Airport, training schools and air traffic building - will be forced to shut to allow for potential demolition under plans by developer Vistry Homes.

The proposals submitted to Rushcliffe Borough Council in March last year are part of a wider plan that quickly proved controversial with residents and airfield users.

A petition opposing the development was launched by the Save Nottingham City Airfield group as bosses said they were looking at potential sites for relocation.

Concerns over emergency helicopters losing a refuelling spot, the impact on biodiversity and job losses have been raised. Despite various petitions and more than 1,000 objections, a three-month notice was given by Vistry Homes to operators Truman Aviation on March 4.

Brian Wells, the site’s owner, previously said that an agreement had been made between both parties when Truman sold the airfield to Vistry in June 2022. This meant the airport and amenities could remain on the site until planning permission was approved.

However concerns from developers over the potential disruption and issues protesters may create if plans were given the green light led them to issue the notice.

A further letter sent to Mr Wells confirmed there will be no extension on this date.

“[Vistry] say on June 7 they are going to make the airfield secure and there will be no access to the runways,” the document, seen by the Post, says.