CAMPAIGNERS have expressed their dismay that plans to build hundreds of homes at Old Sarum Airfield have been approved on appeal.

A government-appointed planning inspector gave the green light for the plans, which also include a flying hub and leisure facilities, following a drawn-out inquiry, with the final decision made yesterday (April 9).

This comes after Wiltshire Council initially refused the plans to build around 315 homes at the site in August 2024, with an appeal launched by the operator Old Sarum Airfield Ltd in October.

While the operators will be celebrating the result, a campaign group opposed to the development says it will explore its options.

Save Old Sarum says they believe the historical significance of the site was not deemed as relevant as it should have been by the inspector.

READ MORE: Hundreds of homes proposed near Old Sarum Airfield

READ MORE: More than 300 homes and new flying hub planned for Old Sarum Airfield

A group statement reads: “We are deeply disappointed and dismayed by the planning inspector’s decision regarding Old Sarum airfield.

“This outcome represents a significant setback for local aviation enthusiasts, the community, historical preservation efforts and indeed, the heritage and significance of both the site itself and that of the setting of the Old Sarum Ancient Monument.

“We believe the inspector’s assessment failed to adequately consider the historical significance of the site, the impact on local amenities, the economic potential of the airfield, the environmental impact and the continuing degradation of Roman Road.

“This decision undermines the preservation of the unique aviation heritage, the sustainable development of the region and the needs of the local community.

“We will be exploring all available options to address this unjust outcome and if we are ultimately unsuccessful, we trust and hope that the developers will do the honourable thing and deliver all the promises and undertakings they assured the public they would.”

The new flying hub Picture: Feilden + Mawson

The site, which was designated a conservation area in 2007, dates back to World War One and has three listed hangars.

It is regarded as one of the best-preserved flying fields of that period and has heritage significance, as it is the only World War One airfield in the country that has retained its suite of hangars and technical buildings fronting onto an airfield relatively unaffected by later developments.

The newly approved development would be split into three areas around the perimeter of the airfield, with 160 on the north west side, 155 on the southern periphery, and the commercial elements with a new control tower to the south east of the hangars.

In the decision notice, the inspector came to the conclusion that the heritage benefits would outweigh any potential harms arising from the development and that it would not “unduly affect” the setting of the Old Sarum scheduled monument or the Stratford-sub-Castle conservation area.

A condition of the approval is that Hangar 3, which is currently being held up by scaffolding, must be restored after it suffered damage by Storm Isha in January 2024.

A planning application was also submitted to build 294 homes on fields north east of Old Sarum at The Portway. Read more about that here.