Panshanger Aerodrome

The primary reason for the closure was economic and developmental. The landowner, Mariposa Investments, did not renew the lease for the aerodrome operator. The site was subsequently sold to the local authority, Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, which had allocated the land for a major housing development as part of its long-term Local Plan. The aerodrome was no longer considered financially viable by the landowner in comparison to the land's value for residential development.

The site is currently owned by Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council and is designated for a large-scale housing development, often referred to as Panshanger Park. While some preliminary work and surveys have been conducted, large-scale construction has not yet commenced across the entire site as of late 2023. The former runways are overgrown and no longer usable for aviation. The airfield's buildings, including the clubhouse and hangars, have been demolished or have fallen into dereliction. The area is now largely open green space, popular with local residents for walking and recreation, but its aviation infrastructure is gone.

Panshanger Aerodrome had significant historical importance, both during World War II and in the post-war era.

WWII Role: Opened in 1940, it was initially established as a 'Q-site' decoy airfield, designed to draw enemy bombing raids away from the crucial de Havilland aircraft factory in nearby Hatfield. It was later commissioned as RAF Panshanger and became home to the No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School. Here, thousands of pilots for the Royal Air Force learned to fly, primarily using de Havilland Tiger Moth biplanes, making a vital contribution to the war effort.

Post-War General Aviation Hub: After the war, Panshanger transitioned into a civilian airfield and became one of the most popular and busiest General Aviation (GA) aerodromes in the region. For over 60 years, it was home to the North London Flying Club, which trained countless private pilots and served as a beloved base for private aircraft owners and aviation enthusiasts from across North London and Hertfordshire. Its grass runways and friendly club atmosphere made it a cornerstone of the UK's GA community.

The prospect of reopening Panshanger as a fully operational aerodrome is considered extremely low. A very active and well-organized local campaign group, 'Save Panshanger Airfield', has been fighting to preserve aviation at the site since before its closure. They successfully had the site listed as an 'Asset of Community Value' (ACV), although this status has since lapsed. The group has proposed alternative mixed-use development plans that would integrate a smaller, viable grass runway and a heritage center alongside new housing and a country park. Despite strong local support and a compelling heritage case, their efforts face a significant challenge from the council's official Local Plan, which earmarks the entire site for housing. While the campaign continues to advocate for the preservation of aviation heritage on the site, the official plans for redevelopment make a return to active flying highly unlikely.