NORTH WEALD PARISH COUNCIL - MEDIA RELEASE: Council objects to Sunday airfield market

A proposal to expand the North Weald Airfield market to Sundays, in addition to the current Saturday and Bank Holiday Monday opening, has been branded "absolutely appalling" and opposed unanimously by North Weald Bassett Parish Council.

Hastingwood councillor Andy Irvine, speaking at Monday's parish council planning committee meeting, highlighted existing issues with traffic on local roads caused by the markets, and the inconvenience the market brings to local residents.

He added: "The whole idea to bring more and more and more traffic to Hastingwood, Thornwood and North Weald so Epping Forest District Council can monitize their asset (the airfield) is repugnant."

Councillor Terry Blanks told the meeting: "This is appalling. Does that mean there will be Saturday, Sunday and Monday (markets) three days running on some occasions. That's absolutely appalling. We can't cope with the traffic we've got at the moment."

Parish council chairman Alan Buckley said: "I'm surprised they are even going for this. By all accounts the Saturday market is very poorly attended (by traders) now.

"You used to have four aisles and the thing has shrunk already. Any traders coming down on a Saturday will have to stay over (to attend on the Sunday).

"I really can't see the necessity when the size of the Saturday market has diminished."