About 150 caravans at Cutlers Field And Horcott Hill, Fairford

The site

The two agricultural sites lie on Fairford’s south-eastern edge, use existing accesses and are near protected nature sites.

“The application site comprises sections of two agricultural fields on the south- eastern periphery of Fairford, just north of RAF Fairford. Both sites, Cutlers Field and Horcott Hill, located south-west and north-east of Horcott Road, respectively, have existing vehicular accesses.”

“The site is located approximately 0.5km south of the Cotswold Water Park Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is within the outer zone of influence for the North Meadow Special Area of Conservation (SAC).”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended permission because the proposal supported the rural economy and tourism, with temporary and manageable effects.

“With regard to Policy EC5 (Rural Diversification), it is considered that owing to the temporary nature of the works, the proposal would not conflict with existing farming operations. Criterion (b) in this case is not relevant as there are no existing buildings that could be re-used to achieve the proposals. Whilst the scale and design of the development would not contribute positively to the…”

“With regard to Policies EC10 (Development of Tourist Facilities and Visitor Attractions) and EC11 (Tourist Accommodation), it is considered that the proposed site would have a functional relationship with the historic and natural heritage of the area given the association with the RIAT festival and the proximity of the sites to RAF Fairford. The sites would be well connected to main tourist routes, both being accessed from an A-road and on the fringe of Fairford.”

Officer report

Effects considered acceptable

Officers considered the effects on landscape, homes, waste, biodiversity, highways and flooding acceptable subject to the proposed controls.

“The proposed arrangements are also considered sufficient to ensure that waste will be collected regularly throughout the course of the event and that the sites will be cleared of all waste after the event, returning the site to its original state. Reporting on all waste disposal and waste transfer will also be carried out after the event.”

“The application sites are both within Flood Zone 1 and are considered very low risk of flooding, and the proposed development is considered unlikely to have a significant impact on the surface water drainage of the sites. The proposed development is therefore considered to accord with Local Plan Policy EN14, Section 14 of the NPPF and the policies of the draft revised NPPF (December 2025).”

Officer report

Consultation responses

consultees raised no objections overall, with highways and the Ministry of Defence seeking conditions; no town, parish or public comments were received.

“GCC Highways: No objections subject to conditions.”

“Ministry of Defence: No objections subject to condition.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant’s public speaker described the event’s economic and educational benefits and the short-term campsites’ reinstatement afterwards.

The committee vote

Councillor Daryl Corps proposed permission, Councillor Julia Judd seconded it, and the committee agreed unanimously.

“Councillor Daryl Corps proposed PERMITTING the application and Councillor Julia Judd seconded the proposal. The proposal was put to the vote and agreed by the Committee.”

“RESOLVED: to PERMIT the application. To PERMIT 25/03721/FUL (Resolution) For Ray Brassington, Nick Bridges, Patrick Coleman, Daryl Corps, Paul Evans, Nikki Ind, Julia Judd, Dilys Neill, Michael Vann and Ian Watson 10 Against None 0 Conflict Of Interests None 0 Abstain None 0 Carried…”

Minutes

The decision

The application was permitted for caravans associated with the annual air tattoo.

“The proposal was change of use of agricultural land to allow for the siting of caravans in association with Fairford Royal International Air Tattoo.”

“Public Speaker Public speaker – Emma Wellman – Applicant The Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford was a major annual event with significant economic and educational benefits. The campsites will be used to accommodate volunteers and contractors and operate on a short-term basis on agricultural land that would be fully reinstated afterwards.”

Minutes