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 Since 2002, The Rutland Group has been leading the climate change agenda with proposals to develop the aerodrome into the most environmentally responsible large scale eco-development proposed to date in Europe (2009).
Plans for the eco-development suffered a set back in September 2009 when the Secretary of State decided not to grant consent for the development on the grounds of prematurity.
As a result in the planning future, focus has had to shift to the aerodrome’s existing planning uses and plans now include maximising the site’s underlying consent for the manufacture, repair and flight testing of aircraft; taking advantage of Permitted Development Rights to expand and build on existing and future business operations and an increased commitment to bringing film production and entertainment style events to the area.
In tandem with ensuring the existing employment and uses on the site are safeguarded, the ultimate end vision of an eco-development on the aerodrome will be pursued through the Local Development Framework.
The Vision
 The long term vision for the aerodrome remains unchanged. Dunsfold Park Ltd has put together a scheme which will create an exemplar new sustainable village, designed for the way in which we will have to live in the future.
The proposals address the issues of water, energy, transport and waste in an environmentally sustainable manner, whilst providing much needed affordable housing that will enhance and improve the infrastructure in the surrounding villages. This visionary scheme includes:
- 2,600 (900 affordable) zero carbon homes for energy – a first on this scale in the world
- A mixed use live/work and live/walk community with all day-to-day facilities and services on site
- Exemplar low water use with full rainwater harvesting
- Village waste disposal on site with the highest recycling rates in UK
- The most radical transport proposals ever envisaged, designed to reduce carbon by promoting behaviour change and low or zero carbon vehicles, with a vast array of measures, including cordon charging for residents, work place car charging and comprehensive fast, frequent, cheap buses with permanent subsidy from an endowment fund
- Large scale restoration of local woodland
- Community ownership of all public resources
- Large scale community supported agriculture – a first for Britain, with real attempts to reduce food miles
- primary health care services and extensive community sports and leisure facilities
- a primary school and a school for autistic children
- 350 acres of bio-diverse parkland restored from miles of concrete runways, with community allotments and orchards
- Britain’s first community based biomass CHP plant, using renewable material from locally sourced forest and woodland
- Comprehensive development of footpaths and cycle ways to nearby communities
- 350 acres of publicly accessible parkland
- Restoration of part of the Wey & Arun Canal and village basin
 A development of this scale obviously raises a number of questions and issues. Through ongoing research, studies and consultation, the Dunsfold Park team has explored rigorously, and will continue to consider, all possible effects and benefits of the proposed development.
Dunsfold Park Ltd operates an open door policy and members of the team are happy to discuss current and future activities on the airfield. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Nancy Edwards on 01483 200900.
To see videos about the future plans for Dunsfold Park please click here.
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