The local press was approached about this by local pilot and AOPA member Trevor Archer. As a result the story made front page news last week.

The Epping Guardian reported that the Council   confirmed an approach by Wimpey to build over the airfield, but pointed out that "...it is much too premature to start consideration at the moment." The Council is aware that the site is the object of builder's attentions, but are not in discussions with any of them "...at the moment". It appears that the council is waiting on the publication of the London Stansted Cambridge Corridor and South East Regional Airports studies before starting any consideration about the future of the aerodrome.

Local MP Eleanor Laing is quoted as saying that "Once again everybody involved locally has to leap to the defence of North Weald airfield". Agreeing that the studies must first be completed, she expresses the need for subsequent consultion with local people before expressing the hope that "...we will be able to keep the airfield and have a small amount of sympathetic residential development..."

The profile was maintained by a follow up letter from Trevor published the Epping Guardian's 'Have Your Say' section extolling the virtues of retaining aviation at North Weald. A number of other letters, including those from Councillors and local residents, indicate that there is good support for leaving the airfield alone.

The airfield is marked as a site for redevelopment in nearby Harlow's 2020 Vision Draft Community Strategy. In this, a strategy of population growth from Harlow's current 84,000 to 160,000 over a twenty year period is being actively explored. Studies commissioned from consultants identify areas outside of Harlow's existing town boundaries, including North Weald airfield, as locations which would accommodate this growth.