There is good news tonight for all those in Llanbedr and elsewhere who have been hoping that the Snowdonia Society’s attempts to obstruct plans to get the airfield up-and-running again would come to nothing. Ieuan Wyn Jones, deputy first minister of the Welsh Assembly Government has approved the sale of the airfield to Kemble Air Services.
This is a very significant step forward, although there are still some issues concerning planning consent to be resolved.It is to be hoped that, by the time these matters are determined, the Snowdonia Society will have come to its senses. Its indifference to the needs of people who live in the national park has already done great harm to that once reputable organisation. Continuing to disrupt this project on purely ideological grounds would be both perverse and irresponsible.
Provided there are no further delays, Kemble hope to start operations sometime during the first half of next year.
At a time of general economic gloom it is wonderful to be able to post news of such a positive development. And for all those who have the best interests of the Snowdonia National Park at heart it will be reassuring to know that common sense has prevailed. Instead of lying idle, this valuable facility can once again contribute to the economic and cultural life of the area after a break of over four years.
For the people of Llanbedr this decision should herald of a new era; it looks as though we may soon get our airfield back!
Fantastic news! no doubt the ‘snowdonia’ society will try their best to halt any progress though! You never know it might shut them up for good but I doubt it.
I can only wish Kemble the best of luck with it all and fair play to them for holding on with the fight that can only benefit the area and its inhabitants.
Given all the arguments around green issues I thought some facts might be interesting. The little aircraft which I share with 19 others burns about 12 litres of fuel per hour at around 86 mph thus equating to around 32 mpg. But as I fly direct routes on the whole rather than indirect as car travel tends to require, I also travel fewer miles. For example a typical trip from the coast of Wales to Hampshire is around 180 miles by air but 230 miles by road. On that basis, I reckon I do the equivalent of around 40 mpg or no worse than the average car so all flying isn’t necessarily as damaging as sometimes advertised.
Will
I’ve moved your comment here because it seems more relevant to this post.
A statement from the Snowdonia Society that I have seen recently suggests that it is ‘green issues’ that underpin their obstruction of Kemble’s plans. Your analysis of small aircraft fuel consumption suggests that the SS are on no firmer ground with arguments relating to co2 emissions than they were when they claimed that a resumption of flying would harm tourism, in spite of some of Wales’ most successful campsites having developed since the airfield was built just over its boundary fence.
Brilliant. What a fantastic note to end the year on. Best of luck to the Kemble team, I will be a regular visitor to this superb airfield. Best news this year!