[WingCommander]

Can anyone please advise me on the following. I am currently looking at the possibility of constructing my own grass strip. I have a level field which will give me a 300 meter runway. I need to know what are the IAA requirements, planning requirements, legal requirements (If there are any) etc, I don't have problems with neighbours as I'm out in the country. The field is clear of obstacles. Any advice, help would be greatly appreciated.

[stovepipe]

Hi there,
It doesn't hurt to have a chat with the neighbours, who may have the idea that light aircraft fall on houses or that they are excessively noisy or may want to be reassured that their weekends would not be undone by the noise of helicopters (all genuine fears that I have heard).Do not take an agressive attitude to neighbours' fears. If you butt heads with otherwise friendly neighbours, then you're wasting your time. You do not need to ask the IAA anything, unless you plan to try and license it. As for the actual business of making, clearing and maintaining a runway, you should go and talk to other airfield owners and see how they cope with drainage problems. Also, if you have an issue with telephone wires or ESB wires, then you may need advice from other airfield operators on how to have them moved. After that, once the field is up and running, you need to sort out who you are going to allow in, ie, PPR or not.
regards
Stovepipe

[libertyxl2flyer]

If you open your own strip does that mean I dont have to pay my hangarage every month then ??

[WingCommander]

No your safe enough!! Not for our plane. New strip is for the Microlight. Whichever one I buy. Possibly an Ikirus C42.

[WingCommander]

Hi Stovepipe

Thanks for that. Your right on the neighbour issues. I intend to talk to anyone that might be on the approach etc. I intend to make sure that relationships are keep good. I want to use the strip for a 3 axis microlight, possibly a Ikirus C42, Eurofox or similar. Something that will operate well of a 300 meter strip.

[BDoyle]

Yep the SI No 600 to the 2001 planning act allows you to use your land for recreational or sporting use and includes placing objects on the land provided you dont exceed 30 days use or 15 day continually in any year (see page 174 of the SI). the wind sock is also exempt if less than 40m high.
now no one is going to stand and count each day of use in any 365 day period. and even if they do the rules are silent as to when the 'year of use' would operate from.
good advice to keep the neighbours happy. id recommend use of the spare seat.
if you do apply for planning permission you may open up an expensive fight that really would break most people.the application costs are also significant. even if there are no objections the planning office will want 'contributions'............a significant sum of money. a licence is also not necessary if you dont train or go commercial and it is also very expensive to obtain and renew.
enjoy the new freedom !!!

[hugoj_air]

You only need to apply for planning permision if you are making permanent structural changes to the field ie-: constructing a hard base or hard surface runway (obviously not necessary in your case) or if you put up a hangar for the sole use of aircraft only. But assuming the field in question is part of a farm, then you can construct a permanent hay shed/machine store which can then double as a hangar . The rational behind that is the land does not change and the field can easily revert to farming again if and when flying ceases.
Very good advice from BDoyle and Stovepipe about the neighbours. Make sure you let them know exactly what your planning for the field. Most non aviation people will think a grass strip WILL become an international airport in a couple of years, if it's not stopped. And good use of the spare seat will go a long way.

Hugo.

[Tim Hanly]

Most of the legal advice you have received here is inaccurate. The exemption referred to does not allow for powered aircraft and that includes radio controlled miniatures. Go to "An Board Pleanala" web site and enter "airstrip" in the search and you will find out how others have faired out.
Speaking to neighbours is a good idea but it does not guarantee anything. My advice would be to look for planning before you start as when you start to operate anyone can complain and a planning enforcement is the last thing you need. Remember it only takes one person and it doesn't necessarily have to be a neighbour!
I have been down the road before on this matter.
Tim.

[Rames]

Update: Airstrips are definitely not exempt from planning permission.

An ILAS Member in Co. Wicklow tested this with an Bord Pleanala.

Full details here:

http://www.pleanala.ie/casenum/RL2970.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[WingCommander]

Hi guys,

Thanks for this. The Inspectors Report from An Bord Pleanála is quite clear alright.

Cheers

[mark]

Hi guys,

An excellent article by BDoyle about this issue will be published in the April issue of FlyingInIreland.

Regards,
Mark

[Rames]

Is this the same Bdoyle who posted the advice on Nov 13th ?

I would suggest that BDoyle & the magazine review the inspectors report and decision from the Wicklow case by An Bord Pleanala.. It's absolutely clear that the exemption he mentioned for "sporting use" does not apply to any aircraft manned or unmanned, taking off or landing.

It would appear that any "grey areas" such as that exemption that might have existed existed prior to the Bord Pleanala decision have been firmly closed. The report is remarkably clear that even a single take off or landing constitutes a "change of use" and that this type of use is not "exempted development" and therefore requires planning permission.

[aviatorsguide]

Seems like quite a contentious series of posts there Rames.....

The article will be well researched I'm sure, and we can read it first before casting views on the authors thoughts. Planning is an incredibly specialist area and you could be jumping over a 2ft wall with a 15ft drop on the other side by assuming that the ABP inspectors report is the last word. As any student of jurisprudence will advise you, you must have a full knowledge of COMMON LAW and STATUTORY LAW before casting any opinion of value. That's why the best planning consultants in the land run about €4k per day. Lots of things look outside the scope of the law when all you have is half of the story eg Statutory Law. Just like the trademark on my name One needs to be careful using it....

Let's see what the article looks like first....

William

[robertd]

It seems to me that there is some ambiguity surrounding the term "material use" in the report by An Pleanala, Rames mentions above that it is clear that any take-off or landing constitutes " a change of use" of the land which is obvious but the real question is whether the change in use is Material meaning that in relation to an agricultural holding is the ratio of flying hours to agricultural use so great that it should merit the definition of a "development" under section 3 of the planning and development Act 2000.

If in the above case the owner was to place the sheep back on the airstrip every time he finished flying (though somewhat impractical) throughout the whole year surely the primary use of the field remains agricultural and the flying hours in relation to its use for grazing are minimal and could hardly be construed as a "material change". It would be interesting to get a ruling from the judiciary rather than an board Pleanala as to what exactly could be considered a "material change in the use of land".

[NoSiG]

If the said farmer has been using his own airplane to check on his crops for disease, lodging and bird damage which is best assessed from the air, would this not count as using this rectangular feild for agricultural purposes? Its a very thin line