In Deaux, questions surrounding the survival of the town’s project to buy the aerodrome

Didier Salles supports the feasibility of a photovoltaic power plant project. Midi Libre – ALEXIS BETHUNE

Faced with a new project to take over the Alès airfield by private individuals, the mayor of Deaux, Didier Salles, continues to defend the project of repurchase by the municipality, which intends to end its air activity for a “common good” project.

A hint of bitterness can be felt when Didier Salles recalls 1972, the year when the municipality of Deaux, of which he is the current mayor, sold the eponymous aerodrome to the Gard Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) for “a symbolic franc”.

Since 2017, when discussions concerning the sale of the site by the CCI were already in the news, the town hall has said it defends the need to reclaim these 45 hectares, estimated at more than €2 million, divided between its territory and neighboring Vézénobres.
Penultimate episode of this case with symptoms of an Arlesian: in October 2024, the municipal council of Deaux granted its mayor the authorization to carry out a financing study and the possible signing of a reappropriation of the premises.

Stop the private sector

Unsurprisingly, Didier Salles is opposed to the project supported, in parallel by the members of the Deaux flying club, which aims to perpetuate an aeronautical activity: “Our priority is to control this area. If it is bought by a private individual, we will no longer be able to control anything. The municipality of Deaux has a right of pre-emption on this site, in the context where it is carrying out a project.”

Also read: A new project defended to "save the Deaux aerodrome"

A project that foresees the definitive disappearance of planes on the tarmac: “This site is no longer relevant for aeronautics or civil security. It needs to be rethought as a whole, for the common interest. It cannot be maintained solely for recreational aviation.” He emphasizes this several times: “This is not the whim of a mayor, it is the will of an entire municipal council, since 2017.”

The already known scenario of building a photovoltaic power plant on site thus returns. “This is part of our public interest projects, although we have other ideas in development.” Without specifying a future meeting date, Didier Salles specifies that he has “regular” and “constructive” discussions with the president of the CCI, Éric Giraudier, regarding his takeover file.

A deliberation cancelled ?

However, a recent municipal document dated January 23 (one day before Didier Salles' interview at Midi Libre), has since been communicated, announcing the holding of a new municipal council for this Tuesday, January 28. With the sole agenda being the withdrawal of resolution no. 28 of 2024, corresponding to the one authorizing the mayor to pursue this buyout project.
Information that raises questions, going against the mayor's stated certainty as to the feasibility of the project supported, according to him, by all the elected officials of the village (*).

The “nuisances” always mentioned

The mayor of Deaux, Didier Salles, also does not downplay the noise pollution aspect that several of his constituents seem to complain about with regard to recreational aviation. “People should respect flight plans,” he maintains, referring to “certain low-flying flights over the village during the aero club's 50th anniversary celebrations in July 2024. “If aviation develops in Deaux, it will cause even more noise and losses on the real estate market.” According to the mayor, who says he has asked two real estate agencies to carry out studies, an increase in pleasure air traffic in Deaux would weigh down "by 20 % on average", the price of housing.