Happy memories tinged with sadness as sun sets on Tollerton Airfield

DEVELOPER'S HOUSING PLANS FORCE CLOSURE OF A 'SPECIAL' PLACE WHICH HAD ITS OWN COMMUNITY

- By GEORGE PALMER-SOADY

CAMPAIGNERS, businesses and members of a historic flying club have shared their memories of "special" Tollerton Airfield on its final day.

The home of Nottingham City Airport, an aviation training school, an air ambulance base, and a café described as "irreplaceable", is set to close after a year-long battle from campaigners against developers Vistry Homes.

Yesterday, all businesses were required to shut to allow for potential demolition as part of proposals to build hundreds of homes on the site.

Brian Wells, the director of site operators Truman Aviation, previously told the Post that an agreement had been made between both Vistry and Truman when the latter sold the airfield 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 might create if plans were given the green light led them to issue the notice to leave the site in March. On the airfield's final day, those who hold the site close to their hearts have shared their memories with the Post. Robert Taylor, a member of Sherwood Flying Club since 1964, remembers the days when his aviation club ran the airfield.

"As a kid, I would cycle down to the airfield and spend every minute I had down there," Robert said of the club, which was founded at Tollerton Airfield in 1957 and owned the site until 1963.

"We would do all sorts of things to make a bit of extra cash in those days. As members were flying, we would refuel the aircraft and wash their cars. There was also a very big social side to the airfield in those days. People would spend all weekend at the flying club and at one point we had 250 members.

"Everyone would go to the social club next door after flying."