The City of York Council has indicated that it will use its muscle to help save Yorkshire's last great air show.

The council has hinted that its role as a planning authority could be pivotal in the battle to retain Elvington airfield, which last weekend hosted its most successful air show ever, attended by more than 25,000 visitors.

The airstrip's future was thrown into doubt when the Ministry of Defence decided to dispose of the former Bomber Command runway. It has invited bidders to express declaration of interest for the 400-acre site near York.

Trustees of the adjoining Yorkshire Air Museum, who organised the Elvington Air Spectacular, have been alarmed to discover plans showing the airfield split into sections for individual development, which would prevent its use as a runway.

But bosses at the City of York Council said any developer whose plans threatened the air show - the last surviving in Yorkshire - would have to get through them first.

Roy Templeman, director of environment and development services, said: He said: "If somebody wants to change it completely and do away with the air show they are going to have a tricky time convincing us. We would look very, very carefully before considering an application for anything other than its existing use.

"There is a presumption against building on green belt land, and any developer would have to demonstrate that the benefits outweighed the disbenefits."

He said it was unlikely that a developer would buy the land without first seeking planning permission from City of York Council. Dave Tappin, events organiser at the Yorkshire Air Museum, welcomed the council's position, but warned that it could not stop a well-resourced, determined developer.

He said: "It's great, and all credit to them. The council have always supported us, but the big problem we have is the thought that a big hitter could buy up the airfield as a speculative venture, knowing the stance of the council, and then appeal to the Secretary of State for planning permission.

"The MoD are giving all the wrong signals by indicating that it could be split up and sold off."

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