Decision due on former airfield

Plans to develop the airfield have been subject to delays

Plans to build a new airfield on the site of a former RAF base in Gwynedd are likely to suffer a setback.

The Snowdonia National Park Authority is expected to refuse the certificates that would allow the site at Llanbedr, near Harlech, to re-open.

The developer says it will carry on with its plans for a private airfield and business units.

But many people living nearby are angry that a chance to create new jobs for the area is facing a further delay.

The airfield closed in 2004 and local people are keen to see it brought back into use for small private planes and for its buildings to be used by businesses.

More employment

Air Training Corps training officer Bruce Williams said: "A lot of people want to see it open again, definitely.

"There would be money coming back into the place, there would be a lot more employment and an influx of people.

"The whole place would just be revamped again."

But the Snowdonia Society argues that a commercial airfield will go against the key aims of the National Park to protect the landscape and give enjoyment to the public.

The whole place would just be revamped again Training officer Bruce Williams

Snowdonia National Park Authority has sought advice after receiving applications for certificates of lawful use on behalf of Llanbedr Airfield Estates Ltd.

Planning permission

A spokesman for the authority said: "Currently, the legal advice received is completely clear and unequivocal and leads to refusing the applications."

If that happens, the developers would have to apply for planning permission.

Llanbedr Airfield was opened before the start of the World War II as a military facility.

It was bought from the Ministry of Defence in December 2008 by Kemble Air Services, who say reopening the site will create hundreds of jobs in the area.

The sale was approved by the Welsh Assembly Government.

The authority's decision is due on Wednesday.