Bounds Farm Airstrip

The airstrip was a private facility that closed for personal reasons. The owner and operator, John Dines, retired from flying, leading to the cessation of all aviation activities at the site. The closure was not a result of economic failure, accidents, or external pressures like military or commercial development.

The site has reverted to agricultural land, fully integrated back into Bounds Farm. Satellite imagery of the location (51.9245, 1.009167) shows that the runway is no longer maintained for aviation purposes and is now indistinguishable from the surrounding fields, likely used for grazing or growing hay. The faint outline of the former runway can still be discerned from the air under certain conditions. The building that served as the aircraft hangar remains on the site, though its current use is likely for agricultural storage.

Bounds Farm Airstrip was a classic example of a private 'farm strip' common in the UK. It consisted of a single, well-maintained grass runway (approximately 550 meters long, aligned 06/24) and a hangar. Its primary function was to support General Aviation (GA) for its owner and potentially a small number of other local pilots. It was used for recreational flying with light aircraft. The airstrip did not have any commercial or military significance but was a known and respected facility within the local Essex and East Anglia flying community.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the Bounds Farm Airstrip. As it was a private strip whose operation was tied to its owner, its revival would require a new landowner with a specific interest in aviation to invest in restoring the facilities and navigating the complex planning permission process required to re-license an airfield. This is considered highly improbable.