The airfield, near Felton, is currently used for refuelling by UK Coastguard helicopters and Ministry of Defence (MoD) aircraft.

However, this is disputed by Eshott Airfield which now plans to appeal the decision.

The airfield’s current planning permission states that: ‘With the exception of landings/take-offs only by military aircraft, emergency services aircraft and/or aircraft in an emergency situations, the airfield shall not be used other than by gliders, microlights, helicopters and propeller driven aircraft. No such individual aircraft shall exceed 5,700 kilograms in weight.’

Director Richard Pike said: “We will be appealing the decision with the Planning Inspectorate on the grounds that despite the very clear public interest, our current planning wording gives us appropriate permission to allow emergency service and military aircraft to land for any reason as they are exempt from the 5,700kg weight limit.

“We are confident in our success in an appeal process and in the meantime will continue to support public and defence services if and when they need us.”

Mr Pike continued: “After several years of backwards and forward on this issue, Northumberland County Council were adamant that our wording did not allow the use of the site by emergency and military aircraft.

“The council forced us to submit a variation of condition application which was submitted in…