An MP has weighed in on the future of a historic airfield.
Nigel Huddleston, MP for Mid Worcestershire, has shared his thoughts on the potential of a 5,000-home development at Throckmorton Airfield.
It comes after parish councils in the area called for the site to be scheduled as an ancient monument after it was included in the South Worcestershire Development Plan.
Mr Huddleston said: “I know that proposals to build on the Throckmorton airfield are of great interest to many of my constituents, and I am keeping a close eye on developments.
“I encouraged constituents to get involved in the SWDP consultation which ran at the end of last year, just as I also encourage them to engage on individual planning applications.
“We all know we need more housing to address local affordability; but any development must be in the most appropriate locations.
“However, it would be disingenuous of me to pretend I have control over planning decisions.
“Planning applications are, quite rightly, the responsibility of local councils, not the MP, and are made strictly according to planning criteria, not political ones.”
READ MORE: Calls to protect historic airfield amid plans to build 5,000-home town
Vic Allison, chief executive of Wychavon District Council, explained that the “important archaeological richness” of the airfield is noted in the SWDP, which was published last year.
He added that prior to any potential development, archaeological evaluations and mitigation measures will be carried out.
This would involve either preserving anything of archaeological importance in-situ or preserving it by record for future reference.
Ultimately, however, the decision to make Throckmorton Airfield a scheduled monument lies with Historic England.
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With previous experience in the field, Mr Huddleston has voiced his concerns about protecting the land.
He said: “As a former heritage minister I am also concerned about preserving our heritage and history, and I know that others are also concerned about protecting archaeology on the site.
“I understand that consultation with Historic England and archaeological evaluations are pre-requisites to development.
“I am confident that all appropriate processes and procedures will be followed by Wychavon District Council in any planning application.”
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