Initially approved in 2016 but met with resistance, a report from the local Get Surrey website has claimed that the WW II era airfield would be turned into a housing estate consisting of 540 planned affordable houses, a health centre and extension of the existing Dunsfold Business Park, while the actual runway itself, used as the famed Top Gear test track, will be turned into a park.
It also claimed that the construction would lead to the creation of over 1 000 jobs, but that approval was only given after Secretary of the State for Communities and Local Government, Sajid Javid, got involved in a project tabled back in 2015.
“The development of Dunsfold Aerodrome will provide homes for all sections of the community including young families currently priced out of the area, create new jobs and deliver a range of new community facilities together with infrastructure improvements. We look forward to working with Waverley Borough Council to progress the detail," Dunsfold Park Chief Executive Jim McAllister was quoted as saying shortly after the green light was given.
Local councillor, Julia Potts, also spoke out in favour of the move, telling the online platform, “I am delighted that the Secretary of State has granted planning permission as this development will provide significant benefits to the local community, of the 1800 new homes 540 will be affordable”.
Opposition group Protect our Waverly has, however, expressed disappointment at the decision, with its chairman, Bob Lees, remarking, “While more housing is needed, it should be put in the right place and Dunsfold is clearly not the right place, with its totally inadequate infrastructure”.
At present, it remains unknown when construction will start and indeed the future of Top Gear, as the BBC has so yet to comment on the announcement.
As the series, which was subjected to massive criticism and plummeting ratings after the sacking of star presenter Jeremy Clarkson in 2015, followed by the ultimate departures of Richard Hammond and James May, still serves as one of the broadcaster’s biggest income providers, a new venue will likely be announced at some stage.
IMAGE from getsurrey.co.uk
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