A PUBLIC inquiry will decide the fate of a former RAF camp on the edge of the New Forest.

In the latest round of a long-running planning battle, Martin Baily who jointly owns the former domestic quarters of RAF Sopley, now named Merryfield Park, has appealed against enforcement notices issued in November by New Forest District Council.

In a 22-page schedule, the council alleges the former RAF huts are being used for a variety of activities without planning permission.

More than a dozen are being used for storage purposes, another is being used as an office, one as a photographic studio, other buildings have been used for band rehearsals, there is a workshop with office and storage space and the old RAF Airwaves Club has been used as a “private members’ club” and hired out for social functions.

The former guardroom at the entrance has been listed as having shop use, goods left there after three fundraising sales organised by the Friends of the New Forest Airfields organisation.

Friends’ spokesman John Levesley said: “We’re moving it out. We’ve got better things to do than pick a fight with the district council.”

The friends, which has its museum in one of the huts, is not affected by the enforcement notice as training and education is a legal use at the site.

Another business which is unaffected is Wessex Fire Services Training, which runs courses in the old camp fire station and tower, which is currently being made watertight.

The council says the design of the buildings is not in keeping with their surroundings and does not justify their retention through re-use. The changes of use are inappropriate development in the green belt, as is storage between buildings.

Among Mr Baily’s claims are that planning permission should be granted, there has been no breach of planning control, the enforcement notice was issued too late to take action, the steps required are excessive and the time given to comply is too short.

Among the organisations likely to speak against the appeal are Bransgore Residents’ Association and Sopley Camp Against Development.

The Daily Echo had not been able to contact Mr Baily at the time of going to press.