Lawyers review Snowdonia airfield

The dispute centres on a 125-year lease of the site

Plans for an aerodrome in Snowdonia have been delayed as details relating to its lease are reviewed by lawyers.

Law experts for the assembly government are looking at the lease documents of Llanbedr airfield.

Operators Kemble Air Services want to take over the old military airfield near Harlech, Gwynedd on a 125 year lease for private light aircraft.

The company said it was frustrated but understood the delay due to the legal challenge by the Snowdonia Society.

The society, known as Cymdeithas Eryri in Welsh, claimed the assembly government had not provided evidence that strict planning rules for a national park area had been met.

This issue is now being considered by the assembly government's legal advisors and until their review has been concluded... the proposed lease of the site will not be completed Assembly government spokesman

Operators Kemble Air Services had intended to move onto the site in June.

An assembly government spokesperson said lawyers were reviewing the details of decisions made by assembly officials about Llanbedr airfield in order to reply to claims made by the Snowdonia Society.

"Recently, Cymdeithas Eryri alleged that the assembly government, in considering the future use of the site, had not complied with a specific statutory duty related to the presence of the airfield within a National Park," said an assembley government spokesman in a letter to the society.

"This issue is now being considered by the assembly government's legal advisors and, until their review has been concluded and until a response has been given to Cymdeithas Eryri, the proposed lease of the site will not be completed."

Kemble Air Services director David Young said he was frustrated but resigned to the delay.

He said he understands that the assembly government has to respond to the Snowdonia Society's claims questioning the legality of the deal.

"It's a little bit frustrating and somewhat inevitable," he said.

"We've got to sit down and see what happens. I hope it will all be resolved. I'm reasonably confident it will all sort itself out."

Mr Young said he was still hoping the airfield open day would go ahead on 20 August.

The information about the legal review came a week after the Snowdonia Society gave notification of their intent to propose a judical review to the chief legal officer at the assembly government.

The director of the Snowdonia Society and former Welsh culture minister, Alun Pugh said: "We welcome this postponement pending a re-examination of all the paperwork.

"We are keen to avoid proceeding to a full judicial review so we look forward to seeing all the documentation we have requested both under Freedom of Information Act and pre trial procedures."

He added he hoped they would receive an official assessment of the "reliability of Kemble's claims to create new employment".

Opponents to the airport's development claim it will harm the environment and deter tourism.

But supporters of the former military airfield have handed in a 1,000 name petition to the area's assembly member, Dafydd Elis-Thomas.