FEARS that Dunsfold Aerodrome could be turned into a commercial airport for passengers or freight, used for light aircraft, or turned over to housing, has been voiced by a local action group

Hundreds of letters have been circulated to residents in Haslemere, Chiddingfold, and those who live close to the former 528- acre aerodrome site by a group calling itself The Dunsfold Aerodrome Group.

Derek Gardiner and Richard Woof are calling on local people to object to plans submitted to Waverley Borough Council by Dunsfold Park Ltd for land which is designated as being "countryside to be protected for its own sake" and similar to Green Belt land in status.

The greatest current threat over plans to designate the site for the development of "light aviation" comes after a Surrey County Council Structure plan lists Dunsfold Aerodrome as an exception to the development of new airfields, or the re-opening of existing ones, for additional flying activity.

Quoting from an extract from the latest Structure Plan, the action group says: "The only exception is Dunsfold Aerodrome, which was vacated by British Aerospace at the end of 2000.

"Given the remote location of the airfield the re-use of the site for light aviation will be supported, provided that any adverse impacts are sufficiently controlled."

That say campaigners could pave the way to override any decisions taken by Waverley and allow Dunsfold Park to get planning permission for light aviation use.

The Quieter Skies Campaign is among those campaigning against SCC's support for light aviation at Dunsfold.

The group is also concerned about four temporary planning applications, one which would allow the BBC programme Top Gear to be filmed there, bringing with it "excessive noise problems and drivers track-testing cars" together with the inherent "engine noise and squealing tyres".

Another seeks to use the southern runway and buildings to store huge amounts of fertilisers, bringing with it claims of pollution and traffic problems.

A third planning application calls for a change of use as a police driver training facility for five years.

An application has also been submitted for a change of use of land and builds for a temporary period of two years and brings with it, say protesters, the possible threat of Dunsfold Aerodrome being turned into a commercial airport with all the noise, disturbance, excess traffic and pollution that it would cause.

Other fears involve the threat of housing development on the land, the effects of which would be "dramatic in terms of road congestion, excessive demands on the available infrastructure and damage to the peacefulness of a quiet and tranquil area".

Last week, Haslemere town councillors noted the concerns over plans for the aerodrome.

For more information on the Dunsfold Aerodrome Group, contact Derek Gardiner on 01483 200922 or Richard Woof on 01483 201111.