Estate will pose threat to Wellesbourne Airfield, says pilot

Barwood Developments recently submitted plans to Stratford District Council for the £84 million project - which would also include a Sainsbury’s supermarket, car park, industrial buildings and offices - on a 70-acre plot of land off Loxley Road.

But among others to write letters of objection to the council is Heli Air, the company that runs Wellesbourne Airfield. The Courier spoke to Amy Packe, pilot and operations manager, who said: “Any new residents moving to the proposed site would be living right next to the active runway of Wellesbourne Airfield. It’s also immediately next to one of the routes that helicopters use.

“The residents will have continuous noise, particularly during the summer when our airfield is very active.”

Ms Packe said lights in people’s gardens and the use of barbecues could also pose dangers to pilots.

She added: “We employ 57 people and use the local businesses. We contribute a lot to the area.

“If the operational capability of working out of Wellesbourne becomes restricted, we would have to look at moving out headquarters away from there, which would represent a significant loss to the area.”

A spokesman for Barwood said: “A revised housing layout plan is being prepared that will incorporate a large area of open space at the western end of the site.

“This layout revision provides a reasonable response to the issues that have been raised.”

A decision is due to be made on the plans in June.