A FORMER airfield site tucked away in the Teignbridge countryside could soon have a new lease of military life.

However, if the proposed plans released today – on April 1 – come to fruition the airfield could be up and running in as little as two years.

Haldon Aerodrome, or HMS Heron ll as it was known during the Second World War, is one of two possible sites, the other being the former RAF Cottam site in Yorkshire, that the Ministry of Defence have ear-marked as potential advanced training bases for military drone squadrons.

‘Of the two sites we have been looking as both are remote enough not to have any detrimental effect on the local population,’ said MoD spokesman Captain Youvbinhad.

‘In the case of the Devon location compulsory purchase orders may have to be used to extend the existing runway length available, but its positioning is perfect for remote operations and training.’

The former airfield on Little Haldon, high in the hills above Teignmouth, was last used in anger back in 1943 by the Royal Navy.

In the immediate post-war years attempts were made to revive civil flying at the aerodrome but were unsuccessful and the site reverted to open heathland and the requisitioned land handed back to Teignmouth Golf Club.

This would tie-in with the arrival of new American-built Protector drone aircraft due to enter service with the RAF in 2024 as part of a multi-million pound deal to bring military aviation into a new virtual age.

Currently the RAF operate the MQ-9 Reaper drone out of its Waddington airbase in Lincolnshire. It is this multi-tasked aircraft, capable of precision strikes with state-of-the-art ordnance and high level reconnaissance, that would be operating from the newly named RAF Haldon.

However, with increasing numbers of remotely piloted aircraft being purchased and the decreasing numbers of military airfields being available in the UK, plus the increasing East/West tensions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the MoD and RAF are now looking at former sites to be requisitioned.

There is a question, however, on the amount work required at the site on the Ashcombe Estate to bring it up to military standards and the associated disruption to the local area that would bring.

The MId-Devon Advertiser understands that the increase in size would see the existing area trebling in size with the B3192 Higher Exeter Road being diverted to deal with this. A security fence closing off the heathland area would also be installed, along with numerous hard-standing areas, hangers, maintenance areas and essential operational buildings to cater for the estimated 500 personnel that would required at the site.

Both Devon County Council and Teignbridge District council have been approached for comments, but as yet have not responded.

What do you think on this April 1? Should a natural habitat be used for military training and the major changes it would bring? Is the area ready for a large operational RAF base?

Let us know your views at [email protected].