Peter Ainsworth has today welcomed the news that the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association (RFCA) for Greater London will be forced to apply for full planning permission to erect a 1.2m perimeter fence around Kenley Airfield.
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Croydon and Tandridge Councils are responding to concerns from residents that the fence will look unsightly and inappropriate on this site. The erection of the proposed fence would also curtail the use of the land for walkers, cyclists and other leisure users.
The RFCA currently use the Airfield for gliding and it is believed that they are erecting the fence for health and safety reasons. On the 12th January 2007 Peter Ainsworth wrote to the Rt Hon Des Browne MP, Secretary of State for Defence, asking for details of the relevant risk assessments. He is still awaiting a reply.
Peter Ainsworth said:
“I am delighted that this fence will now be the subject of proper public scrutiny and I would like to praise Tandridge and Croydon Councils for the way that they have worked together and responded to residents’ concerns. An application for full planning permission will be a formal opportunity for people to make their views known.”
He went on to say:
“I have asked Des Browne for details of the risk assessment that was made prior to the decision to erect the fence. Until I see clear evidence that the inconvenience and visual intrusion presented by the fence can be justified by a significant benefit to public safety, and am extremely doubtful about this I will continue to oppose this application.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
1) the full text of Peter Ainsworth’s letter to the Rt Hon Des Browne MP is as follows:
12th January 2007
I have recently been contacted by constituents who are concerned about the planning application submitted by the RFCA for Greater London to erect a 1.2m fence around the perimeter of Kenley Airfield.
As you may be aware, part of the proposed fence runs through my constituency and I am concerned that, if permission is granted, it will severely curtail the use of this popular destination for walkers and cyclists. It should also be noted that Kenley Airfield is in a Conservation Area and there are concerns that the fence will look unsightly and inappropriate in this setting.
I understand that there may be health and safety considerations in relation to RFCA’s use of the Airfield for gliding which have led to this application being lodged. I would therefore be grateful if you would provide me with further details on the perceived risk to the public resulting from access to this land. I would also be grateful if you would provide me with details of any relevant risk assessment or similar appraisal that has taken place and what consideration was given to alternative methods of protecting the public that use this area for recreational purposes.
I would also be interested to know what measures have been put forward to ensure that the fence does not undermine the Conservation Area status of the Airfield.
Given the strength of feeling in my constituency in relation to this planning application, I would be grateful if you would look again at both the necessity and proposed structure of the fence. I would welcome your comments on both aspects of this application.
I very much look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
The Rt Hon Des Browne MP
Secretary of State for Defence
Ministry of Defence
Whitehall
London SW1A 2HB
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