Yeovil Aerodrome Upgrade

Supporting the future of UK aerospace manufacturing through strategic planning and major airfield infrastructure investment

Client

Leonardo Helicopters

Location

Yeovil, Somerset

RIBA Work Stages

1-3

Services

Town Planning, Architecture

Overview

Yeovil Aerodrome has been at the heart of helicopter design, manufacturing and flight testing for decades, supporting one of the South West’s most significant employment sites. To ensure the facility remained capable of meeting future operational requirements, Leonardo sought to invest in a major aerodrome upgrade programme centred around the delivery of a new hard-surfaced runway and associated infrastructure. The project represented a significant investment in the site’s long-term future and one of the largest engineering projects undertaken in Yeovil for many years.

Planning challenges

Balancing operational requirements with environmental considerations and community interests.

As a strategically important aerospace facility located on the edge of the town, the proposal required careful assessment of a wide range of planning issues. These included noise, lighting, air quality, ecology and heritage considerations, alongside the potential impacts on neighbouring communities.

Given the scale and profile of the project, a robust planning strategy was essential to support the proposal while maintaining momentum on a significant programme of investment for one of the region’s largest employers.

Our approach

Delivering an evidence-led planning strategy to secure approval for nationally significant infrastructure.

BoonBrown’s Planning and Architecture teams worked collaboratively to prepare and manage the planning application, undertaking:

Extensive public consultation
Employee engagement and communication
Assessment of noise, lighting and air quality considerations
Ongoing liaison with Somerset Council
A proactive strategy to support a timely determination

By maintaining open communication with stakeholders and addressing potential concerns early, the team helped progress the application efficiently while ensuring a robust planning submission.

Outcome

Planning permission secured, enabling long-term investment and operational certainty.

Planning permission was successfully secured for the aerodrome upgrade, facilitating the delivery of a new hard-surfaced runway and associated infrastructure. A subsequent lawful implementation strategy ensured the permission was protected, providing the client with confidence to plan future investment without risk.

The project strengthens the long-term operational capability of Yeovil Aerodrome, safeguarding a nationally important aerospace facility and supporting continued investment, innovation and employment in the region.

This project demonstrates how strategic planning advice can unlock complex infrastructure projects, creating the certainty needed for businesses to invest, grow and plan confidently for the future.