Biggin Hill Airport - Bromley Council wins appeal
News Release, London Borough of Bromley.
Bromley Council today won its Appeal against the High Court ruling made last November in favour of Biggin Hill Aiport Limited (BHAL) regarding interpretation of the airport lease. At that time the High Court ruled that the permitted user clause included scheduled flights and non-business charters. Bromley challenged this ruling in April 2001, and the Court of Appeal has now overturned that decision agreeing that the clause which states that the airport can only by used for 'aviation providing facilities for business aviation flight training and private flying and other airport and aviation related uses" does not include these wider uses.
Councillor Michael Tickner, the new Leader of the Council and Chairman of Policy and Resources Committee said: "We are delighted with the outcome of our Appeal. We have always upheld that our interpretation of the Lease was accurate. This clause was intended to protect the environment, while allowing the development of a local business airport. The introduction of scheduled flights and non-business charters would have had a disastrous affect on the quality of life for thousands along the flightpath as well as those living in the immediate area. However, we do recognize that the airport is an asset to the borough, and look forward to working with BHAL in the future to our mutual advantage, but within the safeguards of the Lease."
Biggin Hill Airport is operated by Regional Airports Ltd. subsidiary company BHAL on a 125 year lease from the Landlord and Freeholder, Bromley Council. The lease began on 6th May 1994.
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