New Kenley Airfield fence plan criticised (From Croydon Guardian)

New Kenley Airfield fence plan criticised

3:37pm Friday 9th March 2007 in

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Croydon South MP Richard Ottaway has criticised Ministry of Defence plans to erect a fence around Kenley Airfield.

The 1.2m high fence would stop people walking on to the MoD airfield from Kenley Common. The move is designed to stop people strolling into the path of gliders which use the airfield.

But Mr Ottaway, who agrees that a barrier would be helpful, does not feel a fence is the answer. He said: "An increasing number of residents are using Kenley Common for recreation activities, and while in the past this was not a problem, some people are now straying on to the airfield and creating health and safety concerns.

"While I appreciate that position and agree that it would be helpful to have some sort of barrier to alert the public to the airfield area, a 1.2m palisade fence is completely inappropriate. It would significantly and detrimentally alter the character and outlook of the area and compromise the conservation area of Kenley Aerodrome."

A decision on a planning application for the fence is expected by the end of the month.