Neighbours were horrified to see the ground stacked up to 10 feet tall rapidly appear on the field to the south of the runway. It coincided with a planning application to erect accommodation for specialist staff to build a hangar on a neighbouring field.
The latest plans show that the proposed portacabin accommodation, which is still being considered by planners, would only take up a tiny proportion of the southern side of the field.
The rest will be filled with three piles of earth.
The latest applications made are to allow the stockpiling of earth, while on the hangar site there are plans to install an electricity substation, plant and bin store, make changes to the earth banks and install hardstanding.
Colin Dodd, who owns a neighbouring field, said he would be objecting to the latest plans.
‘But what can I say – the site has already been annihilated, so objecting is slightly irrelevant,’ he said.
‘It sends a very bad signal that you can destroy that area and remove all the trees, and then just put in a planning application as though it has not already happened.
‘I think we need a change in the rules that says if you destroy an area of land, cutting the trees and bulldozing it, you should not be able to apply for planning for a period of say five to 10 years.’
There have been considerable concerns expressed about fields being cleared in advance of planning applications being made, with local conservation groups addressing this with the Development & Planning Authority.
Planning permission for the private aircraft hangar was granted in 2013, and while that application was believed to have been activated by preparatory work, the hangar has not gone up yet.
The latest application explains that the earth piles are excavated earth from the construction site.
‘The stockpile allows the material to be used as part of the ongoing construction process, avoiding unnecessary vehicle movements and off-site storage costs,’ the applicant said.
‘Off-site storage of excavated material is impractical due to logistical, operational, and environmental constraints. Keeping the earth on-site ensures safe, timely, and efficient access for construction operations.’
It states that piles have been arranged to make use of ‘natural screening’, and it is estimated they will be in place for 12 months.
The applicant said that the stockpiles were limited to the minimum required and were controlled in height and area, ‘ensuring the development is temporary and proportionate’.
It said that on completion, all material would be removed or returned to the site as part of the construction process, and the land will be restored to a ‘safe and stable condition’.
The piles are being dampened down in dry or windy conditions and dust levels are being monitored.
Temporary windbreaks or covers could be used to further reduce dust.
The application said the stockpiles would be low-profile and arranged to ‘minimise visual intrusion’.