Redlands Airfield

Redlands Airfield (X2SN) is an unlicenced private airfield in Wanborough, East of Swindon, Wiltshire, a few miles from junction 15 of the M4. Redlands Airfield also hosts a small organic beef farm (owned by Joe and Sarah Smith) of about 50 acres. Joe Smith is a Wanborough Parish Councillor.

Redlands Airfield started as a small microlight club in the 1980s which subsequently expanded into microlight training without planning permission and neighbours objected to the noise caused by this operation. flying then ceased but the airfield re-opened in July 1998 after being granted planning permission by Swindon Borough Council for a microlight flying club.

The airfield has been controversial ever since due to the nature of the planning permission and continued complaints of noise nuisance to residents across a large area of North Wiltshire. Over the years, the airfield expanded to include microlight training and in 2000 skydiving. The temporary assessment period for a skydiving club was cut short after the owners applied for early permission despite no flying having taken place due to the Foot and Mouth epidemic having closed the airfield. As a consequence there were no objections to the granting of planning permission. An agricultural barn received retrospective permission for microlight hangarage and a temporary moveable cafe was relocated to the barn without prior approval of the planning department who subsequently deemed it ancillary development. The expansion into skydiving with the London Parachute School heralded the beginning of many complaints about noise nuisance and a petition in 2005 objecting to this activity gathered nearly 1,000 objections. A mediator was engaged by Swindon Borough Council but without any result.