MONEWDEN (SUFFOLK) UNDER THREAT

[Neil G]

The Council are trying to cut, via massive enforcement action, activity at Monewden to 150 MOVEMENTS PER YEAR! That's 3 per week! Crackers.Planning consultant deployed, but I believe it would be helpful to compile records of as much movement as can be shown 1972-2004. If you or your a/c has any record of being in or out of Monewden in this period, we could de with a photocopy. Otherwise, chances are, you won't be going back there again. Please send me a private message. Photocopying & postage costs can be covered. I have no financial interest. I'm just a club member who would like to carry on flying the 2 x C150's & 1 x PA28-140 operated. The operation of these a/c by our 50 members are, according to the council, breaching the human rights of sparse number of locals. All help useful. Local PFA strutt are aware.

Neil G

[met24]

Ouch.

I'll try to remember to have a look through my aircraft's books next time I'm nearby. (I've never flown into Monewden myself, but it's possible the 'plane has with somebody else.)

[Janie]

I don't ever recall seeing Monewden in the Emeraude's log and I think she would have struggled to get in/out of it, to be honest. The runway is "grass 480x22m. RW 04/22."

See:
http://www.pilotweb.co.uk/content/ai...aspx?af_id=335

[Yak 11 Fan]

Only 480... Thought it was longer, oh well. I've not been there either but I know a man who may well have been.

[Yak 11 Fan]

According to my 2005 AFE VFR guide it's 800x20

[Moggy C]

This from the Horizon Flying Club web site

Monewden Airfield is located 8nm NNE of Ipswich at N5210.06 E00115.60.

The runway is grass, 800m x 20m and the orientation is 04/22. Runway edge markings are currently being installed with completion expected by July 2005.

For information it appears that the airfield and the locals have rubbed along pretty well, but the arrival of a flying club, carrying out training from the field has led to complaints, that have led to the action from Suffolk Coastal Council, the guys who killed off the plan to develop Bent Waters for maintenance, private flying and to replace Ipswich airport.

Indeed it is the closure of Ipswich that has driven training out to the small strips across Suffolk and caused many problems that would never have arisen if Bent Waters plan had come to fruition.

Moggy

[Dave Barrell]

Correct Mr Mog....

Originally Posted by Neil G

compile records of as much movement as can be shown 1972-2004.



sparse number of locals

Neil G

I really don't want to put a negative damper on things but the situation must be clarified.
I understand your frustrations Mr G, it's always a travesty when airfields are threatened like this, however, as a former incumbent of Monewden, I feel qualified to add that yes, you can compile records of aircraft movements as you ask above, but HFC has only been there these past few years and, furthermore, until then we never ever had a problem with the locals..

You must be very careful with your other quote, the 'sparse number of locals' include some very influential and high powered, national and international figures from all walks of life. They cannot be underestimated..

Three movements a week was about the frequency of usage up until HFC moved in, I guess the locals would like to go back to that. A bit of consultation up front would have worked wonders but there was none..

On a more personal note -- whilst based at Monewden, I (and my aircraft) was the recipient of a letter from somebody purporting to be from HFC stating that the locals had complained about excessive aircraft noise and that the main culprits were the larger engined aircraft such as the Stearman - I took exception to this as I had been based there a number of years and had never had a complaint about my aircraft, in addition my aircraft had been out of action for a number of months and hadn't flown, it therefore, had made no noise at all!!
I then found out that Sunday movements had gone up from half a dozen (pre HFC) to 26 on one Sun morning -- I'm no expert but I guess that's where the complaints came from....


Like I said, it's sad to hear of an airfield under threat and I do sincerely wish you the very best of luck in your battle....

[DBW]

Interesting Mr Mog and DB,

Maybe a compromise can be reached between the club and the locals? I can see the point that the locals would be a bit p***ed off with the increase in movements and maybe the based aircraft could climb straight out and return straight in. Training circuits could be flown at Beccles which doesn't suffer from Nimbyitis quite so much.

I'm not surprised you took exception to a letter like that DB, new kids on the block etc. IMHO the C150 is probably likely to attract more complaints than an S'man because of the different tone. The 150 is more 'whiney', and I'm not getting at 150's either as I own one! I don't think a flying club would write a letter like that either, at least I hope not. I suspect that it was probably written by a keen but misguided individual, probably a low houred PPL. You know the sort a typical sprog who thinks he's a bit of an ace and knows it all.

Lets hope it isn't too late to reach an agreement that everyone, GA and the locals, can live with. After all Suffolk isn't over endowed with club airfields nowadays is it?

[Neil G]

I am grateful for the comments and support. Some small amount of additional info. on movements has now been gleaned.

Whilst not to downplay the comments/history behind all of the issues (and I have no real view on the relative values of different a/c noise - SCDC's complaint is based on intensification of use, per se), we are where we are with the prospect of enforcement action, and are thus on the Crowfield/Elmsett kind of route.

I would, personally, like to see a voluntary planning agreement, and IMO, believe that others on the concerned may do, too. It will save stacks of cash - better spent in the air.

Circuit training is already done at Beccles and voluntary noise abatement followed (or at least should be, with any sense) to try and reduce disturbance. However, crucial to the bargaining position with the Council is justifying as much flying as possible, so thats where anyone who has ever been to Mon. fits in. Please keep the info coming in.

One final point. My reference to "sparse locals" refers to the density of population and not intended to indicate few NIMBYS. Flying in the country brings another set of planning conundrums as to appropriateness. Planning, esp. airfields always brings out the big (influential) guns, whatever the issue. However, if the a/d is reduced in capacity it will, IMO, leave the a/d freeholders in the inviduous position of working out who gets to use the available slots. This will affect all users, not just HFC, as I do not believe the planning system allows particular users to be singled out, just the nature and frequency of use. In short, all users could be equally in the soup. Please help by scanning your log and a/c log books for details. A/D records may not be the greatest, so its better to risk duplication than not get in contact. Look forward to hearing.

Happy flying to all.

Neil G.

[Dave Barrell]

Originally Posted by Neil G

However, if the a/d is reduced in capacity it will, IMO, leave the a/d freeholders in the inviduous position of working out who gets to use the available slots. This will affect all users, not just HFC, as I do not believe the planning system allows particular users to be singled out, just the nature and frequency of use. In short, all users could be equally in the soup.

Correct Mr G, if the Council relents and supposing movements are set at 700 a year, I don't think any aviation business could survive with just two movements a day. Maybe time should also be spent looking for an alternative base, if so then a good program of initial local consultation should be implemented, and continued with, so that the problem doesn't get to such a heavy, complicated and costly stage. If this had been done at Monewden then one wouldn't find oneself in this position.

I will copy my logs and forward them if it will help your cause..

[Neil G]

An application for a certificate of lawful use has been lodged with the local council to help ensure this airfields future.

Would all those who made contact (and any who didn't) please be able to get back to me with any a/c or personal log books, ASAP? We need to have our supporting (factual) comments in by 19th April '06. This can go back to 1973.

If any spotters saw activity during the last 30 years, again that will be useful info.

PLease feel free to post or send me a private message. I will keep you posted with any news, as and when. In the meantime, we will keep on flying.

Regards,

Neil G