New Alert published on the GAAC website. APPG Celebrates Airfield Planning Change

In a major win for the All-Party Parliamentary Group on General Aviation (APPG-GA) the Government has announced changes to planning guidance meaning that long established airfields will no longer be threatened by the occupants of newly built housing. The fresh guidance issued today will require that all new developments mitigate against airfield noises on the final approach and departure routes from operational runways. This will prevent developers and new residents from acting against airfields over noise and other issues, specifically because the airfield was already there in advance of residents moving to the area.

The ‘Agent of Change’ principle is being extended so that developers and planners would be expected to take into account the operation of local airfields when granting fresh planning permission for housing and other uses. The new guidance says, “This could include development in the immediate vicinity of an airport, or the final approach and departure routes of an operational runway, and locations that experience regular low altitude overflight by general aviation aircraft, where this activity could subject residents or occupiers to significant noise, air quality issues and/or vibration impacts.
Welcoming the changes, the APPG-GA’s Airfields Working Group Chair (and vice chairman of the GAAC) John Gilder said:
“The Airfields Working Group has campaigned for recognition that airfields provide high tech jobs and pilot training to thousands of people. However, up until now it has been possible for new residents to move in nearby and then start to complain about an airfield which may have been operational for 100 years – eventually getting it restricted or even closed. This new guidance will place the onus on planners and developers to take steps to mitigate any disturbance for new residents and it sends a strong message to the courts that our General Aviation airfields are part of the UK’s ongoing prosperity.
“Those wishing to build nearby airfields are now responsible for justifying their intentions and mitigating the impact of disturbance future residents might experience. We regard this as a very positive contribution that complements other recent National Planning Policy Framework changes in moving towards an atmosphere conducive to protecting and growing the UK’s General Aviation community in the UK.“
The changes come into effect immediately in conjunction with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) Section 182, which prevents people living in new developments attempting to have an airfield closed due to noise and pollution.
Chair of the APPG on General Aviation, the Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP commented:
“Thousands of jobs and the entire aviation sector depends on having places to train pilots and develop skills. This change by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MCHLG) is welcomed by parliamentarians who are concerned to protect and enhance the prosperity of their local areas. We are grateful to Minister for State for Housing Kit Malthouse MP for introducing this fresh guidance.”The new guidance says, “This could include development in the immediate vicinity of an airport, or the final approach and departure routes of an operational runway, and locations that experience regular low altitude overflight by general aviation aircraft, where this activity could subject residents or occupiers to significant noise, air quality issues and/or vibration impacts.
Welcoming the changes, the APPG-GA’s Airfields Working Group Chair John Gilder said:
“The Airfields Working Group has campaigned for recognition that airfields provide high tech jobs and pilot training to thousands of people. However, up until now it has been possible for new residents to move in nearby and then start to complain about an airfield which may have been operational for 100 years – eventually getting it restricted or even closed. This new guidance will place the onus on planners and developers to take steps to mitigate any disturbance for new residents and it sends a strong message to the courts that our General Aviation airfields are part of the UK’s ongoing prosperity.
“Those wishing to build nearby airfields are now responsible for justifying their intentions and mitigating the impact of disturbance future residents might experience. We regard this as a very positive contribution that complements other recent National Planning Policy Framework changes in moving towards an atmosphere conducive to protecting and growing the UK’s General Aviation community in the UK.“
The changes come into effect immediately in conjunction with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) Section 182, which prevents people living in new developments attempting to have an airfield closed due to noise and pollution.
Chair of the APPG on General Aviation, the Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP commented:
“Thousands of jobs and the entire aviation sector depends on having places to train pilots and develop skills. This change by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MCHLG) is welcomed by parliamentarians who are concerned to protect and enhance the prosperity of their local areas. We are grateful to Minister for State for Housing Kit Malthouse MP for introducing this fresh guidance.”

www.generalaviationappg.uk

You may view at https://www.gaac.org.uk/appg-celebrates-airfield-planning-change/

Paul Cremer

My name is Paul Cremer, and this marks my 42nd year working within the business and general aviation industry. Over this time, I’ve had the privilege of overseeing a diverse array of sector activities, ranging from aircraft charter and management to air ambulance services, ground operations, air traffic control, airport management, technology implementation, and the outsourcing services I currently manage.

In my role focused on delivering advisory, technology, and outsourcing services to aviation customers, I handle a wide spectrum of responsibilities. This includes overseeing International Trip Support, Operations Control Centre Services (OCC), Continuing Airworthiness Management Service (CAMO), Airworthiness Reviews, ARC Services, Aircraft Delivery and Re-delivery Support Services, Maintenance Coordination Services including AOG, Tech Ops (Maintenance Control Centre), and managing myairops software products. As the Head of Aviation Delivery, I lead the customer-facing delivery of Technology & Outsourcing products and services for the market, drawing upon a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and industry connections within Gama Aviation’s Technology and Outsourcing Strategic Business Unit.

My journey into Business and General Aviation began during my teenage years while still in school. I was fortunate enough to be welcomed into the industry, starting at a flying club, and later working at the Air Traffic Services Unit at Blackbushe Airport. There, I maintained the ATC Movement Logs in the Control Tower during weekends, solidifying my passion for aviation. Upon completing my schooling, I seized opportunities at Fairoaks Airport, where I began as Ground Crew while pursuing my Aerodrome Flight Information Service Officer’s license. Advancements in my career led me to the role of Air Traffic Services Manager.

Since joining Gama Aviation in 1996, I’ve held various positions, including Operations Manager (Post Holder), Operations & Commercial Manager, Commercial Manager, Operations Delivery Manager, Head of Business Aviation Delivery, and currently, Head of Aviation Delivery. This role encompasses Gama Aviation Group’s Gama Aviation, myairops, and FlyerTech companies.

In 2023, I was honoured to be invited to serve as the Chair of the Operations Working Group for the British Business & General Aviation Association. This opportunity allows me to contribute to industry initiatives within BBGA’s membership of nearly 200 industry companies, focusing on challenges such as regulatory compliance, Air Services Agreements, technological advancements, workforce development, operational matters, and sustainability.

Marc Bailey

Marc Bailey has spent his entire career in aviation and has worked in most areas of Aviation Services with scheduled airlines, MRO’s, military contract support and latterly with associations, government, and its agencies.

Marc represents your position in Europe (even post Brexit) – as President of ECOGAS (European Council of General Aviation Support) which maintains a voice with EASA. All the major member states are represented on the ECOGAS board. With EASA restructuring its meetings with industry, ECOGAS is now well positioned to represent our position in all areas following industry partnerships with the European Independent Maintenance Group and with ARPAS the new drone and autonomous association.

Marc is chair of the UKASF (United Kingdom Airworthiness Strategic Forum) as part of an initiative to develop Aviation Services across all aviation activities. The UKASF pulls together airlines, MROs, Rotary, Drones, and commercial GA bodies to work with CAA and DfT. The objective is for industry to take the lead to drive strategic issues to benefit all parties. We are well positioned after four years to continue our good work and with the re-established role of Chief Surveyor in the CAA we have a good focal point to do this.

Marc chairs the CAA Finance and Services Forum which allows industry in the UK to discuss in the financial plans for the CAA and the value for money delivered by those funds paid by industry. This is a new and valuable new platform for all parties.

Under recent developments Marc has formed an alliance with, ARPAS, AOPA, BHA and BBGA so that we can strengthen our voice under a joint ‘GA 4 Biz’ banner. This alliance is working to do everything possible to represent the industry’s business interests with UK government and to help realise the Government’s desire to make UK General Aviation a Global Leader in a post Brexit environment. GA4Biz – GA4Biz

The next Generation initiatives with industry and government have continued to develop with the retention platform now evolving into the “Aviation Skills Recruitment Platform”. The platform now not only offers a vehicle for those offering and seeking posts in aviation, it also provides pathways with its TalentView portion seeking to provide pathways for new entrants into our sector. The recruitment platform is being further developed to include training opportunities across a wide range of providers, from government agencies through academic bodies. Getting our next generation activities right in the UK over the next couple of years is our single most important issue which we in aviation must grab with both hands. Marc is playing a central role to help develop many of these channels.

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