Statement - Common Land Deregistration Appeal High Court Decision

BLACKBUSHE: 23rd April 2020

Blackbushe Airport are disappointed to receive the judgement of the High Court in respect to the appeal case CO/3493/2019 bought by Hampshire County Council.  This Judicial Review was of the decision dated 12th June 2019 of the Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in respect to Application COM/3206697, an application to deregister the active aerodrome from Yateley Common.

The Hon. Mr Justice Holgate found that the Inspectors reasoning surrounding ‘curtilage’ was legally flawed and therefore the decision must be quashed.

Blackbushe Airport maintains that there are grounds, with real prospects of success, to contend that the correct approach is other than as set out in the judgement and that the approach adopted by the Inspector was correct. We are therefore taking advice on our options to seek permission to appeal the decision at the Court of Appeal.

The Vision for Blackbushe airport is to develop a small, modern aviation facility, that supports small aviation businesses as well as providing services for the community.   We remain committed to delivering on this objective.  We strive to create a centre of aviation excellence for small start-up and existing businesses in aviation to thrive.  Our plans would create employment opportunities for the local community as well as allowing Blackbushe to continue as a General Aviation hub for generations to come.

The judgement is available in full on BAILII.