Fenland Airfield owner John Wright's application for new bungalow rejected as district councillors warned to avoid favouritism

Councillors were urged to put their personal feelings aside as an 85-year-old man was denied permission to build a new home.

John Wright, the owner of Fenland Airfield, had applied to construct a three-bedroom bungalow adjoining the site - claiming that he needs a dwelling closer to his workshop, where he works six days a week.

He also voiced concerns regarding a number of break-ins at the airfield, based at Cranesgate South in Holbeach St Johns, saying he wished to live closer to hangars for security reasons.

However, South Holland District Council’s planning committee refused his application - but only after a vote was decided on a knife edge.

Five councillors backed Mr Wright’s application while six refused it - with three abstaining.

Coun Peter Coupland supported it at last Wednesday’s planning committee, citing the importance of Mr Wright’s business to the area. He said: “I think it would be the right thing to do.”

Coun Christopher Brewis said he was ‘extremely sympathetic’ with Mr Wright, who said in his application that he is selling his current house - on the same site - because it is too large.

However, Coun Roger Gambba-Jones warned the committee not to give preferential treatment - saying there was ‘no justification’ to grant permission on a planning basis.

He said: “I know there is a lot of sympathy, but I am sorry that is not a good enough reason to show favouritism to somebody.

“It is a dangerous precedent, because what are you going to say to the next person who comes along and says ‘you gave it to him, why not me?’”

Committee chairman James Avery backed up Coun Gambba-Jones, adding: “He lives on site already. I really am sorry, but we must be talking a matter of a few tens of metres.”

Coun Christine Lawton said planning permission should not be granted to someone ‘wanting to downsize’.

Couns Brewis denied ‘clutching at straws’ in looking for a reason to approve the plans. Having made that comment in general terms, Coun Avery replied: “Kindly take the chip off your shoulder.”

A number of public concerns had been raised after the application.

They included noise issues for future residents due to close proximity to the airfield, and difficulties for emergency services reaching the site due to Cranesgate South being a narrow country road.