Fishburn Airfield has applied to Durham County Council for planning approval to allow The Aviator Cafe continue as a business for public use.

In its proposal documents, it states: “The trade from the general public is very important and without it the cafe business would be unviable as there would be insufficient business from flying only customers.

“If the cafe were to become unviable and had to close down then the general aviation community would lose this vital service and the only one of its kind in the North-East.”

The applicant also states the cafe opened in May, 2015, to provide airfield users with refreshments but has since grown popular with local people and the general public.