[1] Flying ceased after neighbours objected to noise, then the airfield re-opened in July 1998 after being granted planning permission by Swindon Borough Council for a microlight flying club.
In 2009 Joe and Sarah Smith, who own the airfield, were granted planning permission by Swindon Borough Council to continue its operations after the council was threatened with a judicial review for its attempt to re-write planning conditions.
In 2012 the Chair of Swindon Borough Council Planning Committee, Dale Heenan (a Councillor for Covingham, an area which is overflown) said "As a result of the debate on the report, I have written to the two Swindon MP’s, Justin Tomlinson and Robert Buckland, in my capacity as Committee Chairman, to ask for their support to see local planning authorities having the ability to control aviation related noise from unlicensed airfields, and ensure flight paths do not occur over residential areas.
Local Authorities must regulate aviation noise nuisance through the initial planning permission or must act subsequently by issuing a discontinuance notice with the permission of the Secretary of State.
[3] In 2012, local residents continued to object to skydiving at Redlands,[4] and council planning officers indicated that the airfield might be included in Swindon's "eastern villages" expansion.