Main content
An update on the investments taking place at North Weald Airfield.
With so many exciting plans coming to fruition over the next few years, Epping Forest District Council has published an update on the investments taking place at North Weald Airfield.
North Weald Airfield was founded for the defence of London in 1916. After a distinguished record in 2 World Wars and the early Cold War era, the airfield was sold by the Ministry of Defence to Epping Forest District Council in 1980.
North Weald remains close to the heart of the community. Today it is a bustling hive of commercial, leisure and aviation activity, with strong recognition of its military heritage. Flying is still the heart and soul of the airfield. Modern police and air-ambulance helicopters share the airfield with vintage aircraft of the Battle of Britain era.
Epping Forest District Council has guaranteed the aviation future of North Weald Airfield, as a place for business, family and community.
High tech investment
North Weald Airfield hit the headlines with the sale of 52 acres of land to Google earlier this year. The area identified in the North Weald Airfield Masterplan for employment is earmarked for a potential future data centre. Epping Forest District Council will continue to operate the gatehouse entrance and control tower until early-2025.
A planning application for a new control tower was recently submitted. Located next to the top of the main runway at the southern end of the airfield, the council hopes to have it operational by early 2025. Plans are being drawn up to provide a new access point to replace the current gatehouse entrance.
An airfield of 2 halves
The main North-South runway divides the airfield in 2 unequal parts. Land to the West of the runway next to the M11 is mainly dedicated to aviation. Among the major aviation tenants with long term investments at North Weald are Aero Legends, offering vintage flight experiences in aircraft dating back to World War II, and Weald Aviation which restores and maintains vintage aircraft. You can learn to fly with North Weald Flight Training and Academy Aviation. The National Police Air Service, and Essex and Herts Essex Air Ambulance Trust have invested millions of pounds in new hangars and maintenance facilities.
As well as smaller aviation tenants, North Weald is also the home to events such as commemorations to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day later this year.
To the East of the main runway, the land is allocated to economic development. A number of light commercial, storage and distribution businesses fringe the southern edge. The large concrete apron used by car clubs during the week becomes home to North Weald Market every Saturday and Bank Holiday Monday.
To the right of the current gate house entrance, the perimeter track runs up to the northern end of the airfield and the area previously used by HMRC as a temporary customs post following Brexit. Planning permission has just been granted to build a new environmental operations hub depot on this site for the council’s waste and recycling service.
Green and sustainable waste services – TVS
A fleet of new refuse and recycling vehicles will be operated by Epping Forest District Council’s new wholly-owned company Terra Verde Services (TVS) from the old HMRC site when the current Biffa contract ends in November.
No rubbish or waste will be brought or stored on the airfield. As an environmental operations hub, the depot will provide storage, maintenance and fuelling for the new fleet of vehicles capable of running on diesel or a carbon-neutral alternative called HVO. Depending on availability, Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) could represent a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional fossil fuels. Longer-term, the council awaits the anticipated development of even cleaner vehicles running on electricity, hydrogen or other fuel alternatives.
The hub will also provide parking, washing and meeting facilities for the refuse crews as well as office space for the administrative team.
A real milestone was reached with the placing of an 8-year contract for supply of the waste vehicle fleet, the contract hire of which has been awarded to Specialist Fleet Services (SFS). The council chose contract hire over outright purchase to maximise fleet flexibility.
Contract hire provides for:
- Greater flexibility to switch and change vehicles to fit the changing requirements of the waste service
- The ability to introduce greener, cleaner vehicles when it is both affordable and practicable to do so
- Available vehicles ready for the start of operations in November 2024
- The ability to right size the number of vehicles throughout the life of the contract ensuring value for money and that the very best use is made of all resources
- The ability to include the maintenance and servicing of vehicles within one more cost-effective agreement
- Vehicle maintenance to take place at the operations hub at North Weald Airfield maximising vehicle availability
- EFDC to include the disposal of vehicles within the agreement
A bright future
North Weald Airfield has a bright future. With more land available for economic growth, the airfield is a place for jobs and investment. The commitment to aviation is supported by long-term leases to aviation tenants.
Google brings a whole new high tech dimension to the airfield, while the development of the operations hub will provide assurance for the long-term sustainability of waste and recycling services across the Epping Forest district.
As the main landlord, the money saved on its own services, and received in rent from tenants helps the council support public services enjoyed by everyone across the district.
As the days warm up, the airfield is a great place to spend a morning or afternoon. It is open every day. Come along to the Saturday market or bring the children along for something to eat at Wings or Rosey Lea’s cafes.
Keep up to date
Keep in touch with our latest news, service updates and reports.