BOURNEMOUTH Aviation Museum now has a more secure future after winning permanent planning permission for its current site.

The popular attraction, which is based in the car park of Adventure Wonderland opposite Bournemouth Airport, had temporary consent that was due to end in February 2015.

But now planning officers have agreed they can stay in their current home for as long as needed, although trustees will still continue to look for a new site with indoor facilities.

David Marsh, the trustee leading on the application, said: “There were two crucial factors that won it for us – one was the strength and validity of the case prepared by our planning consultants and the other crucial thing was the level of support we got.

“I think the council was overwhelmed by the number of letters they received from our members, the general public, businesses and also from local councillors and MPs.

“It was a really big effort on their part and I can’t thank them enough for all the work and effort they put in to support us.”

He said their current site worked well for them in terms of its proximity to the airport and passing trade from Adventure Wonderland but said they were very weather dependent and would ideally like somewhere with both indoor and outdoor space.

He added: “We can now look towards the future and consolidate our current position and look to develop the museum particularly for our education side and for the local aviation history and heritage side and stay here for as long as is necessary whilst still trying to find an alternative site.”