WITH so many exciting plans coming to fruition over the next few years, Epping Forest District Council has published an update on the investments taking place at North Weald Airfield.

North Weald Airfield was founded for the defence of London in 1916. After a distinguished record in 2 World Wars and the early Cold War era, the airfield was sold by the Ministry of Defence to Epping Forest District Council in 1980.

North Weald remains close to the heart of the community. Today it is a bustling hive of commercial, leisure and aviation activity, with strong recognition of its military heritage. Flying is still the heart and soul of the airfield. Modern police and air-ambulance helicopters share the airfield with vintage aircraft of the Battle of Britain era.

Epping Forest District Council has guaranteed the aviation future of North Weald Airfield, as a place for business, family and community.

High tech investment

North Weald Airfield hit the headlines with the sale of 52 acres of land to Google earlier this year. The area identified in the North Weald Airfield Masterplan for employment is earmarked for a potential future data centre. Epping Forest District Council will continue to operate the gatehouse entrance and control tower until early-2025.

A planning application for a new control tower was recently submitted. Located next to the top of the main runway at the southern end of the airfield, the council hopes to have it operational by early 2025. Plans are being drawn up to provide a new access point to replace the current gatehouse entrance.

An airfield of 2 halves

The main North-South runway divides the airfield in 2 unequal parts. Land to the West of the runway next to the M11 is mainly dedicated to aviation. Among the major aviation tenants with long term investments at North Weald are Aero Legends, offering vintage flight experiences in aircraft dating back to World War II, and Weald Aviation which restores and maintains vintage aircraft. You can learn to fly with North Weald Flight Training and Academy Aviation. The National Police Air Service, and Essex and Herts Essex Air Ambulance Trust have invested millions of pounds in new hangars and maintenance facilities.

As well as smaller aviation tenants, North Weald is also the home to events such as commemorations to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day later this year.

To the East of the main runway, the land is allocated to economic development. A number of light commercial, storage and distribution businesses fringe the southern edge. The large concrete apron used by car clubs during the week becomes home to North Weald Market every Saturday and Bank Holiday Monday.

To the right of the current gate house entrance, the perimeter track runs up to the northern end of the airfield and the area previously used by HMRC as a temporary customs post following Brexit. Planning permission has just been granted to build a new environmental operations hub depot on this site for the council’s waste and recycling service.