Epping Forest District Council is set to boost its coffers by issuing landing fees at North Weald Airfield.

Aircraft visiting North Weald Airfield do not currently pay a landing fee – the addition of which has the potential to generate about £24,000 a year, council documents state.

At a cabinet meeting on Monday evening councillors voted to implement charges which officials believe are reasonable and will not deter pilots.

The cost of landing a single engine aircraft will be £12, a twin engine £18, a helicopter £12 or £24 and a business £60.

An online payment system will be implemented to conduct transactions.

Cllr Chris Whitbread said: “Aviation has never been stronger at North Weald. The arrival of the National Police Air Service, expansion of the Air Ambulance facilities and the growing demand for private aviation shows how the airfield can make sustained contributions to our broader service delivery.”

Council documents state it is not EFDC's "intention" to apply a landing fee to visiting emergency services or military aircraft, those visiting for maintenance purposes or those who have diverted to North Weald for emergency reasons.

Life-saving air ambulance charity Essex and Herts Air Ambulance service is currently based at the airfield.

Cllr Holly Whitbread added: “I think this increases the viability of the airfield which I know is really important to North Weald and a district as a whole.”

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