Ban slapped on businessman using light aircraft on lake district land

The Planning Inspectorate has upheld an enforcement notice issued by the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) to stop the use of a site on land to the north of the A66 in Troutbeck as an ‘aerodrome’ for light aircraft such as gyrocopters and gyroplanes.

An enforcement notice issued by the LDNPA requires Roger Savage, of Lake District Gyroplanes, to discontinue the use of the land and the building as an aerodrome for the landing and taking off of light aircraft, and for any associated activities.

It adds the requirement to remove from the land all light aircraft, landing strip delineation markers, wind socks, picnic tables and any other items associated with the landing and taking off of light aircraft.

Planning Inspectorate documents say the appellant said the aerodrome use commenced in 2009 but its use was ‘relatively low-key’ at that time.

It adds: “The appellant’s aviation activities may then have largely comprised ‘touch and go’ training for gyroscopes flown from the airfield nearby at Berrier.

“However, since activities at Berrier had a greater impact on local residents, the appellant began to use the appeal site as a satellite for practice take offs and landings, low flying exercises and engine failure.”

The gyrocopters are now banned for taking off or landing on the enforcement zone outlined by the LDNPA (Image: Newsquest)

According to the government inspector, the LDNPA was alerted to the use from a complaint which, alongside the flight records, indicates a ‘significant increase in aeronautical activity’ at the appeal site from 2019 onwards.

In 2021, the LDNPA refused an application from Mr Savage for a certificate of lawfulness relating to the use of the site as an ‘aerodrome’ and for agriculture. An appeal was subsequently turned down by the Planning Inspectorate.

The inspector states the appellant has not shown that, on the balance of probabilities, the site was used for a period of ten years, prior to the issue of the notice, for a mixed use comprising use as aerodrome for the landing and taking off of light aircraft plus agricultural use.

In planning law if a site is used for the same purpose for ten years or more, the change of use becomes legal.

A government inspector concluded: “I conclude that it was not too late for the NPA (national park authority) to take enforcement action when they did.”

An appeal has also been lodged with the planning inspectorate by Roger Savage regarding an enforcement notice on the use of land next to Croft House in Berrier as a commercial airstrip but no date has been set on a decision as of yet.

The Planning Inspectorate refused this appeal on April 15.

The appellant has been approached for comment.