[7] Despite a series of resolutions adopted at the council and aimed at obstructing the project,[8] the town resigned itself to negotiate with the developer in order to limit the impact of the airfield on residents.

[9] Soon after the town and the promoters signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on November 1, 2011,[10] the company tried to reach an agreement with Les Ailes québécoises, a recreational aviation club with about forty aircraft.

Based at Quebec City's Jean-Lesage International, the club was considering a move in 2013, because of an ongoing expansion project of the region's main airport and an expected rent increase.

[11] Divided on the 73-percent rent increase proposed by the airport authority for a lease renewal effective in 2013,[12] two-thirds of club members declined an offer to move to Neuville in January 2012.

[20] A group of citizens of the municipality of 3,700[21] has set up the Neuville Committee for the Defense of the Common Good (French: Comité neuvillois pour la défense du bien commun),[22] to mobilize against the airfield.

Grounds for opposition to the airfield range from noise, non-compliance with Quebec laws,[23] municipal and regional zoning by-laws, the impact of leaded gasoline use in general aviation[24] and the proximity of the runway to some homes.

[26] Development of the airfield has also led to the exposure of Campagna creek banks, in contravention with Quebec environment laws according to an investigation by the regional county municipality (MRC), which was leaked to the opponents group in July 2012.

[16] Two private citizens filed a lawsuit in Quebec Superior Court in May 2012 to challenge an administrative decision from Transport Canada to the effect that the aerodrome is not located in a "built-up area".

In November 2012, Judge Pierre Ouellet determined that the relief sought by the two plaintiffs was outside his purview, noting that the Federal Court of Canada had an "exclusive jurisdiction" to adjudicate cases related to aeronautics.