A GOVERNMENT inspector has shot down a property company's plans to develop part of historic Old Sarum airfield.

Dutch firm Blanefield had appealed against a decision by Salisbury District Council to refuse it outline planning permission to develop more than 14 acres of the airfield for employment uses.

Blanefield, which is the leaseholder and owner of development rights for the airfield, put its case to a public inquiry in February.

Now the inquiry inspector Richard Ogier has delivered his verdict - and dismissed the appeal.

He has upheld the council's view that the employment use proposals would prejudice the outcome of the Local Plan process by "predetermining decisions about the scale, locations or phasing of new development".

The inspector also ruled that the Blanefield plans would seriously harm the setting of Grade 2 listed First World War hangars at the aerodrome and cause material harm to the Old Sarum conservation area.

Mr Ogier went on in his findings to express concern at the impact the development would have on flying activities at the airfield.

Blanefield has other plans in the pipeline for housing at Old Sarum and is also seeking a High Court judicial review of the council's decision to give the airfield conservation area status.