I AM in favour of allowing Elvington Parks to keep their present motor testing programme and also of the erection of hangars to allow a limited use of the runway.

York needs these facilities, not only to help with the development of new companies within the area but the testing facility used by the motor industry is very important to that industry in developing both Grand Prix cars and also rally and touring cars.

This country leads the world in high performance car development and Elvington and therefore York play an important part.

I live within earshot of the airfield and get an enormous thrill from hearing and watching the activities on the airfield.

Let us not forget that when the Ministry of Defence put the field up for sale there was a fear that it would be left to deteriorate by simply using the grassed area as farmland. There was a sense of relief when Elvington Parks took it over. They want to maintain the runway and apron as they have a historical significance. The only way they can do this is by generating income and this they are attempting to do by making best use of the facilities.

It should be remembered that this was an active airfield long before the present house building programme. Up to a few years ago the runway was used for "touch and go" practice.

Don Proud,

Curlew Glebe, Dunnington, York.

Updated: 09:44 Saturday, May 07, 2005