A–Z index:

Old Sarum Airfield - appraisal and sustainability appraisal

Hind plane dating from 1935-7

Old Sarum Airfield was designated a conservation area on 28 February 2007.

The council ran a six-week consultation period ran from 7 September to 19 October 2006.

Download the assessment and sustainability appraisal

Background to the appraisal

Salisbury District Council designated Old Sarum Airfield a conservation area in January 2001. The decision to designate was challenged in the High Court, on the basis that there had been procedural errors in its making which led it to be unlawful. The designation was subsequently removed in December 2001.

Following the de-designation, an independent inquiry took place, and a set of procedures was established for the future designation of conservation areas, including ways in which to engage the public in the process.

The council has a duty under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 to consider any areas where there is special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance, and to designate these areas as conservation areas. Following the independent inquiry, the council's Cabinet resolved to re-examine whether Old Sarum Airfield should be designated as a conservation area.

The assessment of the airfield

The council engaged Atkins Heritage as consultants to undertake an assessment of the Old Sarum Airfield. Their brief was to carry out an independent appraisal of the area around the Airfield and to consider whether it would be appropriate to designate it as a conservation area. As well as undertaking historical research, part of Atkins Heritage’s remit was to carry out a visual survey of the airfield and the areas around it.

The assessment followed the framework set out in English Heritage’s Guidance on Conservation Area Appraisals (2005) by which to determine the area’s eligibility for such designation. These criteria have been formulated in the context of the relevant EH guidance notes, an EH thematic study of aviation sites, national Planning Policy Guidance, and the Adopted Salisbury District Local Plan (June 2003).

Summary of the airfield assessment

The airfield is one of the oldest surviving active airfields in the United Kingdom, and is one of the few grass airfields in the country. It has been in continuous use since 1917, and has been used by the Royal Air Force, the British Army and latterly, the Old Sarum Flying Club. There are three listed former World War I hangars at the airfield (listed Grade II*), plus a Grade II listed World War I workshop and Grade II listed World War I station headquarters. The airfield is mentioned in the “Thematic Survey of Military Aviation Sites and Structures” published in 2000 by English Heritage, and this puts it among the most important military airfields in the country.

The consultants have recommended that because the airfield retains much of its historic fabric, and because it is a rare, almost complete, surviving example of a World War I airfield, it has the special qualities required for it to become a conservation area.

The proposed conservation area

On the basis of Atkins Heritage’s study, the council’s head of Forward Planning and Transportation has decided that it would be appropriate to recommend that a conservation area should be designated. This recommendation will now be the subject of consultation, and the final decision about the recommendation, should it be confirmed, will be made by the council’s Cabinet.

The suggested boundary of the conservation area would cover the Flying Field, the WWI technical area, the remains of the Administrative Area, the Machine-gun Range, and all the surviving domestic areas dating from the 1920s, 1930s, 1950s and 1960s (see page 52 of the report for a plan showing the proposed conservation area boundary).

Download the consultants' report and recommendations.

The implication of conservation area designation is outlined in the council's Conservation Areas leaflet.

The Sustainability Appraisal

Under the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004, the council must carry out a sustainability appraisal of land use and spatial plans. A sustainability appraisal has been carried out to accompany the proposed conservation area designation.

Your comments are also being sought regarding the contents of the sustainability appraisal.

Having your say

The consultation period has now ended.

Data Protection

Please note that all comments received in respect of public consultation will become background papers (as defined in the Access to Information Act 1985) and accordingly will be available for public inspection and kept for a period of 4 years.

Key dates

The six-week consultation period ran from 7 September until 19 October 2006. During this period, the consultation responses can be viewed on a file in the Planning Office Reception, 61 Wyndham Road, Salisbury (opening hours 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday).

A public meeting was held on Tuesday 26 September at 6pm, at Sarum Suite, Salisbury City Football Club, the Portway, Salisbury.

Following consideration of the consultation responses, it is anticipated that a report will be presented to a series of council committees before being taken to the council's Cabinet for a final decision on whether to designate a conservation area.