Freddie van Mierlo MP Urges Defence Secretary to Halt Homes England Development at Chalgrove Airfield

Freddie van Mierlo, MP for Henley and Thame, has written to the Secretary of State for Defence, John Healey MP, and the Minister for the Armed Forces, Alistair Carns MP, urging them to intervene and stop Homes England’s proposed development at Chalgrove Airfield.

While Freddie has been clear in his support for delivering much-needed new homes, he warns that this particular site is entirely unsuitable due to its critical role in the UK’s defence capability and national security.

The proposal, which would see over 3,000 homes built on the site, poses a direct threat to the ongoing operations of Martin-Baker, a world-leading British defence manufacturer that tests and develops military ejector seats used by the RAF and 92 allied air forces and navies. These systems are essential for protecting aircrew operating in NATO and other defence missions.

In his letter, Freddie van Mierlo warns that demolishing the site’s three operational runways and relocating a single new runway is wholly inadequate and would severely compromise Martin-Baker’s ability to operate. The site also supports the manufacture of explosive materials critical to ejection systems and plays a vital role in public service operations, including RAF Benson, the NHS, Thames Valley Air Ambulance, and local police training.

Although the new Joint South and Vale Local Plan removes Chalgrove Airfield from future housing development, Homes England is continuing to prepare a planning application.

Commenting on this, Freddie van Mierlo said:

“I fully recognise the need for new homes, but this is simply the wrong place. Chalgrove Airfield is a nationally significant site, essential to the UK’s defence capability and the safety of service personnel. Allowing this development to go ahead would be a serious and irreversible mistake. I am urging the Defence Secretary to act now to safeguard this strategically critical site.”