It’s not often that rural communities get good news these days. Foot and Mouth disease, Blue Tongue, rural poverty and crime, pitifully small farm incomes and the rising costs of transport seem to crowd into the headlines on a regular basis. So it is a pleasure to be able to report some good news for a change.
Four years ago, the airfield at Llanbedr, on the shores of Cardigan Bay in North Wales’ beautiful Snowdonia National Park, ran into difficulties after QinetiQ gave up their lease. In spite of a long and determined campaign to find a new operator it is only in the last week that we have heard that Kemble Air Services is planning to start operations before the end of the summer.
The airfield has been a part of life in Llanbedr for nearly seventy years, so few people alive today can remember a time when it was not part of the community; several generations of some families having worked there. Servicemen who were stationed here when it was an RAF station during and after WWII have married local girls and come to live in the village. Others who came here in the course of their careers have been reluctant to leave an area that had become their home and have settled in and around Llanbedr when they retired.
There is undoubtedly something incongruous about celebrating the contribution an airfield has made to a national park, but important though the tranquillity of the landscape of such areas is, the communities and people who live in them are even more important; without a viable economy the lifeblood quickly haemorages from the countryside. Then the young, able, and ambitious have to move elsewhere to find employment and the insidious process of rural depopulation follows its inevitable course. Houses which were once occupied by families are sold as retirement or holiday homes, and slowly but surely the vitality of the community ebbs away, as shops and schools close.
Of course you cannot have an airfield that operates silently, but for the people who live in this area the sound of aircraft taking off and landing is as familiar to them as the waves crashing on the seashore or the rattle and clatter of trains on the Cambrian Coast railway line. The life of the airfield has become the heartbeat of this village, a symptom of its good health, and when that faltered four years ago there were grave fears for its future.
In fact it is likely that there will be far less aircraft noise in the future than there has been in the recent past when most of the aeroplanes operating from Llanbedr were jets. The prospective owners are far more interested in catering for light aircraft and these, of course, are relatively quiet and unobtrusive. There is now an opportunity for new life to be breathed into the village.
This is not to everyone’s liking, but what few objections there are come from a very strange quarter. The Snowdonia Society, which operates as a watchdog body with a remit for protecting and enhancing the national park, has launched a campaign to try and prevent normal operational activity returning to the airfield. Here is what their director, Alun Pugh, told The Independent newspaper.
“The Welsh government has a legal obligation to promote sustainable development and we’re not sure flying lessons and pleasure flights fit in with that. As an environmental charity we are concerned that redeveloping the site as a commercial airport is wholly contrary to the statutory purposes of national parks.”
“Tourism is the number one industry in north-west Wales,” said Mr Pugh. “People come to Snowdonia to seek peace and quiet reflection in a world-class landscape. Nobody comes to a national park to be assaulted by aircraft noise and climate-changing pollution.”
Mr Pugh, who was only appointed in January, seems unaware of the previous scale of operations at the airfield, using jet aircraft, up until just four years ago. Tourism in the area has increased exponentially during the lifetime of the airfield and one of the most beautifully situated, popular and successful camping grounds in Wales (Shell Island) is on its boundary.
The underlying reasons for opposing Kemble Air Services’ plans would seem to be the current fashion among environmentalists for ‘aviation bashing’. This might be justified if the Snowdonia Society had been set up for such purposes, but it was not. Its founders were concerned that not only the landscape of the national park should be protected, but also the way of life that of the people who are fortunate enough to live in it. And people cannot live in an economic vacuum.
Long before the Snowdonia Society or the Snowdonia National Park came into being, aircraft were using the airfield at Llanbedr and the surrounding airspace. All that is being proposed is a restoration of the status quo, albeit on a somewhat reduced scale of operations.
I have been a member of the Snowdonia Society for many years and recognise that in the past it has served a very valuable and responsible function in the life of the area. So far as I am aware, the membership were not consulted about this ill-considered campaign until after it was launched, and serious damage has already been caused to the society’s reputation as a result.
If, heaven forbid, the Snowdonia Society should succeed in disrupting the present proposals, it would be interesting to know what purpose a derelict airfield will serve in ‘enhancing’ the national park or the lives of those of us who live in it.
Note: A few copies of the first edition of Wendy Mills’ excellent history of the airfield, Target Rolling, are still available from Midland Publishing. A new updated edition is expected at the end of the year.
Sorry Tony, but they’re not gratuitous insults – I understand Wendy Mills is a pilot and flying instructor, so her interest is clear, but perhaps you’d let us know why you are so anxious to see this development go ahead?
And plane spotters really do – in most peoples eyes – fall into the same category as train spotters, namely sad gits. Or anoraks if you prefer a less perjorative term.
Glad to see on the news today that the lease has been put on hold while the WAG lawyers look again at the details, though I’m not holding my breath.
TonyN: I’ve warned you once. If you want to use terms like ‘sad git’, then blog elsewhere.
I do, and I will.
‘Bye.
I enjoyed watching the aircraft when Llanbedr Airfield was operating, I have never collected ‘numbers’ or anything like that but I would respect anyone’s right to do so…whatever floats your boat :-)
Just a quick comment to say that myself & family did enjoy the sights and sounds of Llanbedr airfield when it was in operation – and as such we support the re-opening of the airfield .
TonyN: Thanks for your support.
WE WANT THE AIRFEILD THANK YOU
TonyN: Thanks Stephanie.
I lived in the area for a long time some years back and also worked for a year or so at the airfield. It gave work to a lot of people in those days.
I’ve since re-visited the place on several occasions and seeing the place now so silent and still was truly saddening. Many locals I met spoke of how they missed the planes.
The guy who has taken over the place has not done so in order to create jobs (no one EVER creates jobs out of pure altruism), but to make as much money as possible for himself and to do so he will, the poor devil, have to employ someone to do the work for him while he “manages” the enterprise. That said, I’m all in favour of reopening the place – it’ll creates jobs! I’m also in favour of windfarms, too, but perhaps some people would prefer to see another radio-active Trawsfynydd situation arising somewhere in the National Park…?
Hi
I am from the area. I am Welsh. I am a pilot. I was delighted when Kemble Air Services took on the project. I rather suspect that there was a degree of risk management at play since Kemble Airfield was threatened with closure at the time and only recently was that threat lifted so I hope they don’t now lose interest especially with all the difficulties they have faced.
I don’t suppose they really yet know in detail how the project will develop, though I doubt that scrapping airliners as suggested by Dr Lewis of the Snowdonia Society will make economic sense due to the poor road access. If we’re lucky, we’ll get a flying school with Microlights (which don’t “buzz” now that they tend to be fitted with rather quiet four stroke engines), perhaps some companies servicing the modern demand for Very Light Jets (VLJs) and their maintenance, UAV companies, perhaps even an “Airpark” development. In my fondest dreams I hope that perhaps we might get a scheduled service to one or more of the major hub airports, though I don’t expect that any time soon. Whatever they do is unlikely to create anything like the disturbance made by the RAF on a daily basis already – and they bring little benefit to the area.
As a life member of the Snowdonia Society, I am appalled by their approach. Conservation is one thing – preservation quite another. Conservation applies and encourages value in the target which survives and flourishes as a result; preservation does exactly the opposite. Our part of Wales has few enough assets that have potential to become major economic contributors in world leading industries and offer the young careers outside farming and tourism. Kemble Air Services should be applauded and supported for their willingness to take on a project that is never going to be easy.
Re: 32 Will
That just about sums it up really.
The Snowdonia Society’s campaign seems to have been dreamed up for dogmatic reasons by people who have no knowlege of public opinion in the area or understanding of the needs of fragile rural communities. Your astute distinction between conservation and preservation would, I think, be quite beyond their understanding.
I too am a long time member of the society which, in the past, has made a useful contribution to the life of the national park. It is sad to see its credibility being destroyed in this way.
I have been holidaying along the coast between Barmouth and Harlech for 40+ years now so I think I know both the area and the people.
Several things come out on this blog
1) I was amazed at the number of aircraft movements, (does that mean landings and take-offs?) I used to rent a farmohouse whose upstairs window overlooked the end of the runway, and I don’t remember that volume of tfaffic.
2) How quiet the village of Llanbedr is now, and, it is probably due to the economic climate, how much property there is for sale.
3) Jets They are still flying in and around the area long after the closure. Not only jets but I saw what I think was a Hercules go the length of Bala lake and bank turn in the valley last year. A sight to behold. (Sorry I drifted off the subject, I’m not an anorak or S G either) So aircraft will still go on. Also as you say there has been Caernarfon “airport” for years and we only see the odd plane.
Any development to make Llanbedr into a “commercial passenger airport” would have to sort out logistical problems of how to get passengers there, improved rail links, improved road links (maybe the bypass proposed in the 1950s will be resurrected). These would cost considerably more than the proceeds of a sale of a derelict airbase.
Any small scale development can only be good for the area. Ask the locals, the shopkeepers, the publicans, the landladies.
I look forward to the Open Day on August 13th
I have been visiting and lately living in the area of the airfield for the past 30 years and since the Hawks left its been very different, too quiet almost. We still get a lot of training fights pass over from places like Valley and even the USAF boys from Cambridgeshire doing what look like bombing runs down the runway, personally I can’t see what support SS and other complainers are getting from within the local area. No one I have spoken to is against the reopening and we live now just level with the south end of the runway in Dyffryn and we are looking forward to the open day and return of regular use of the field.
as a child mom and dad took us all to shell for are 2 week hols for years and those planes made the holiday. at the age of 18 months i used to run and hide in the dunes with mom running to my rescue. but as i grew up me and my dad used to watch the planes for hours trying to guess what they where. haven’t been to shell for years up until this year and have planned a trip in june and was looking forward to seeing those planes again and to remember my parents. just hope they open it again won’t be the same without the old gloster meteor flying around
Hi Tony,
i live in Hatfield, a town that lost it’s airfield back in the mid 1990’s (Birthplace Of The Worlds First Jet Airliner – The Comet, though the only referance is when you enter the town, shown on a tin sign, so sad!) and i understand the problems that arise from losing a major employer in the local community. I really do hope that the airport does re-open and as has been said, this should be decided on the opinions of the local community…
Good luck,
Richard.
Re: #37, Richard
Thanks. You are certainly right about the importance of local opinion, but the real problem is that the people who are campaigning against the reopening of the airfield are in a position to sway the opinions of those who know little or nothing about the issues.
Hi Tony,
Just come across your blog and I have to add that opening up LLanbedr airfield as a small airport seems a perfect use of an already purpose-built site. I camp regularly on Shell Island, I have a property in Denbighshire and friends who live in Harlech and around Llanbedr.
From what I understand, most if not all of the locals are in support of this idea and would much rather see a business make use of the airfield than watch it fall into further ruin.
I have read counter arguements from bloggers about the noise of pleasure flights spoiling Snowdonia – are these people not aware that the RAF use the area for training flights from RAF Valley and more importantly that there is a small operational airfield in Caernarfon already which offers such pleasure flights, so we can hardly expect the skies of Snowdon to suddenly fill up with planes.
Also look at the other commercial benefits – Snowdonia is not the most accessible place for people outside the North West of England and North Wales – the roads are regularly cluttered up with cars on nice weekends, therefore having an airfield would make Snowdonia, Shell Island and all surrounding areas accessible to a much wider range of people who can enjoy this beautiful part of the world and who of course will spend their money in the area. Think how close this is as the crow flies to Dublin airport too.
Also as LLanbedr is on the coast, most planes could make entrance from the sea or fly over the sea on departure so again minimising the disturbance around the airport.
Here’s hoping this great idea happens and more people can enjoy Snowdonia !
Matt
Re: #39 Matt
Thanks for your support, but from what I can make out Kemble’s proposals are not even as ambitious as you suggest and this makes the oposition even more surprising.
Incidentally, if you have seen this subject being discussed on any blogs other than this one and the Shell Island campers’ blog I would be very grateful for links as I haven’t found any yet.
Can anyone confirm if the open day is going ahead on 13th August??
Hoping to go if so!
Re: #41 Peter
I don’t know, but I think things may be clearer when the Welsh Government complete their review of the lease, and this should happen sometime in the next few days.
Reading these comments, makes me wonder if “Jo” ever travels on a commercial airliner for holiday or business, and if so how he expects the pilots to begin their training or be inspired to take up the career.
I lived in llanbedr all my life, And YES the jobs would make a possitive impact on the village and its people, it would also increase the tourist trade. which is currently suffering in llanbedr.
i think that the people that are agaist the reopening of the airfield are selfish, and clearly dont understand the people of llanbedr.
the PEOPLE OF LLANBEDR want the airfield to reopen. and THATS WHAT COUNTS. Josh
It would be a waste not to use the runway and the
building that are still on the airfield.
Bring on the Airshows thats what i say.
I hope that everyone that has shown support will continue to do so. Josh………..
thanks Tony N
Jonathan and Josh,
Thanks for your support.
As I understand the situation at the moment, the Snowdonia Scociety have managed to pressure the Welsh Assembly Government into reviewing the lease. This ‘triumph’, which has already caused unnecessary delay in restarting flying operations, may have something to do with the new director of the society being an ex-WAG minister who knows the ropes.
The result of this review is due anytime now, and as soon as I get some reliable information I will post it.
#41 it was to have been the 20th but since the deal isn’t done, it’s been cancelled. Shame.
Long live Llanbedr airfield and long may it continue to have a use as such.
Airfields have been closing (and indeed they still are) at an alarming rate and once gone there will be no turning back – remember the railways ‘a la’ Beeching!!?? The government plans viz ‘Brownfield Sites’ are a dire worry and THAT is something worth being seriously concerned about.
Flying transport brings joy and pleasure and freedom to so many and there are so many benefits. For instance, The Snowdonia Society (who presumably support walking and climbing in the area) would be up in arms if there was nowhere for rescue helipcopters to be based. Imagine a typical SS character stuck on the hill with a medical condition which required urgent action. No time for the Mountain Rescue guys to get there but what about the helicopter? Sorry airfield closed down, nearest one is based in Derby two hours away! Gosh he/she will be dead by then…oops!!
I could go on and on (and frequently do) but it really beggars belief that there are those who feel ‘their’ silence is what matters to everyone else. Lack of appropriate ‘silence’ is not the issue really. Its just that the world is divided into those who see it as their duty and responsibility to complain about anyone enjoying the freedom that they either cannot have or have no wish to have – perhaps seeking it in other ways. A little tolerance required…? Maybe??
WE wont be bringing hordes of aircraft over and you keep on walking and picking up shells where you will and we’ll all get along fine….!
Final thought – Llanbedr is an icon and a SSSIAA (site of special scientific interest about aircraft) it should also be a listed ‘building’. Get the jobs in and create something special for the area that has long been needed – to bring the coast from Penrydeudraeth (you know where I mean) to Barmouth up to the 21st century. Really, the place has not changed from the ’50’s when mum and dad used to take me and my brother and sister to Talybont for glorious holidays among the sand dunes, Vampire jets, meteors and Jindiviks. Fabulous.
Flying could create what the motor car seems to have failed to do. Let the people of Llanbedr decide what’s best.