PLANS for a hard runway at Redhill Aerodrome have been rejected.
Following a public inquiry into the plans in January, government inspector Diane Lewis has decided the proposals would be an "inappropriate development" in the green belt.
Plans to replace the three grass runways at the Kings Mill Lane, South Nutfield, aeridrome with a single concrete runway were rejected last summer by Reigate and Banstead Borough Council and Tandridge District Council.
But applicant Redhill Aerodrome Ltd argued there was special circumstances to allow the development in the green belt.
In her report which was released on Tuesday, Ms Lewis said: "The harm to the Green Belt by reason of the inappropriate development, the loss of openness and the encroachment into the countryside has substantial weight.
"The other considerations, when taken together, do not clearly outweigh the potential harm to the Green Belt and the other identified harm.
"Very special circumstances to justify the development do not exist."
She said the proposed development would be inappropriate on the relatively undeveloped green space currently occupied by the grass runways and agrees with protestors that there are "serious inadequacies" to the transport infrastructure around the airfield.
Paul Murray from campaign group Keep Redhill Aerodrome Green, welcomed the decision.
He said: "On behalf of the local community, who have worked really hard to see this proposal defeated, we are really delighted."
But Ann Bartaby, chief executive of Redhill Aerodrome, was stunned by the decision.
She said: "We are obviously hugely disappointed and very shocked because it is incredibly important to so many people working at the aerodrome.
"We will have to consider what other options there may be and I will have to discuss them with the board.
"I will talk to the companies that will be hit hard by this."
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