ANOTHER planning application has submitted for hundreds of homes at Old Sarum Airfield. 

It comes after a new masterplan went on display earlier this year, followed by a public consultation. 

A previous application submitted in 2015 - and the subsequent appeal in 2018/19 -  were both refused. 

After an inquiry, an Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State for Housing Communities and Local Government refused planning permission, stating "the proposed development would represent an erosion of the open character and appearance of the Airfield Conservation Area, the setting of the listed hangars and that of the Old Sarum [Scheduled Ancient Monument".

Now Mr Grenville Hodge has tabled fresh proposals for approximately 315 homes, with a "mixture of employment, commercial/leisure and aviation uses", including a "flying hub" comprising a control tower, heritage centre, visitor centre, café/restaurant, parachute centre, aviation archives and aircraft hangars.

See more: Old Sarum Airfield: Concerned residents attend Laverstock meeting

Salisbury Journal: A computer-generated image of what Old Sarum Airfield could look like if plans were approved. A computer-generated image of what Old Sarum Airfield could look like if plans were approved. (Image: Feilden + Mawson)

The application also includes the provision of new vehicular access to the surrounding highways network, car parking, and connections to surrounding footpath/cycle networks, as well as green infrastructure provision, including open space, play space, foot and cycle paths, and landscape enhancement areas; & sustainable urban drainage system and wastewater treatment works. 

It says this new masterplan creates "a high quality holistic masterplan which will deliver much needed housing, recreation, and aviation facilities to enhance the existing community and safeguard flying activities at the airfield in the future". 

The planning documents say that the proposed masterplan will provide: 

  • "A holistic masterplan for an active airfield community
  • "Restoration of the Roman Road and preservation of key archaeology features identified
  • "Refurbishment of WW1 hangar
  • "New facilities for flying enthusiasts and the local community
  • "Recreational walking and cycling routes around the airfield linking the proposed Country Park, Old Sarum Village and the new facilities
  • "High-quality landscape masterplan with structural planting to mitigate views into and out of the conservation areas
  • "Pause points and viewing areas highlighting key views
  • "Significant amount of open space, play areas 
  • "Butterfly and Skylark Meadow Mitigation zone 
  • "High quality mixed use development
  • "A total of 315 dwellings to meet local need
  • "A mixture of house types and tenures to suit local demand
  • "An increase in the number of trees
  • "Buffer planting to existing residence on Merryfield Road • Retained safeguarded flying activities at the airfield"

To view the plans, click here. 

More to follow.