People of North Weald and the surrounding area are to be given the chance to decide for themselves the destiny of the airfield that dominates the village.

They will not only be consulted over plans for the former Battle of Britain HQ but will also be able to suggest what its future should be.

The 384 acre site, owned by Epping Forest District Council since 1980, has been the subject of controversy over safety measures and profitability. This led to the employment of top consultants Drivers Jonas to look into available options.

The position has been complicated because the airfield has been identified by the county council as a possible site for waste disposal in the new millennium.

Drivers Jonas's long-delayed dossier on the investigations throughout the autumn and winter was considered by the council policy and co-ordinating committee on Tuesday.

The five options were: do nothing; sell the airfield; develop it for aviation and other commercial uses; consolidate aviation uses and develop others; close the airfield while developing a mixed use site.

But the committee decided to consult and seek opinions only on the first option, to do nothing, and on the proposals either to develop aviation and other uses or to close the airfield.

Chairman Cllr Colin Huckle told the committee that the site was a large asset but was just about breaking even. It depended heavily on one operator and faced significant capital outlay by the council just to retain the existing facilities.

He said it was obviously a long-term project with an initial five ear programme which could eventually stretch to 15 years.

"We must inform and consult the public before taking any action," Mr Huckle said. "Now's the time to make them aware of where we've got to - not just the people of North Weald but the whole district."

Cllr Huckle said one of the options to be considered was a need for more homes. But he emphasised that any county move to use the airfield for waste disposal should be vigorously opposed.

Cllr Maggie McEwen, of Norton Heath, brandished a copy of last week's Gazette which highlighted fears of a rubbish incinerator on the site.

She said there was a danger that the threat would frighten people into accepting anything but an incinerator.

"The outcome of the waste debate is irrelevant. They have been linked but they're not connected,'' she added.

Her proposal that any consultation should be delayed until after the public inquiry into the Essex Waste Plan in November was overwhelmingly defeated.

Cllr Ronald Heath, of Loughton, successfully opposed a recommendation by officers to "draw attention to the potential and development of the airfield in planning and development terms" when the council took part on a forthcoming regional study. He said that should wait until after the consultation.

Cllr Derek Jacobs, of Ongar, said: "We have to do something to stop North Weald Airfield becoming a burden to us." But he added that he was concerned about traffic build-up on the M11.

Cllr Andrew Thompson, of Buckhurst Hill, warned the committee: "We are starting one of the most important rounds of consultation this council has ever entered into.

''It would be perverse, having come this far, not to consult extensively: the people of North Weald are concerned and want to know about it."

The consultations begin after the summer holidays in September. Meanwhile, council officers are meeting airfield tenants who are known to be increasingly concerned about the future.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.