17 June 2025
Good news for Brown Shutters Farm Airfield, an idyllic grass airfield 5nm SSE of Bath, and especially for pilots who fly in and out of the farm strip.
Planning permission has been granted on the farm for five fishing lakes with nature conservation and wildlife areas – and, importantly, a new access track which will not only provide a pothole free experience but also allow runway 15/33 to be widened.
There are a few conditions to be dealt with before work starts in August or September, and then another three months to complete the construction.
The plan for fishing lakes and a new access track at Brown Shutters Farm
“The width of the entrance will be much wider to allow two vehicles to pass,” said a statement from the airfield. “The existing gate and track will remain until the new is ready for use.
“Only then will the existing track be taken up and replaced with topsoil and new grass seed thus 15/33 will be aircraft usably wider. The gate will then be repositioned. Exciting times!”
Brown Shutters Farm Airfield was created in 1988, when ex-Fleet Arm pilot Eric Newbigin, who lives locally, began operating his Tiger Moth from here. In 2007 local pilot Andy Greenwell arrived at Brown Shutters, and he has been the driving force behind the regeneration of the airfield. He and others built a second runway, and early in 2016 Brown Shutters was given a Certificate of Lawfulness.
