A WINCHESTER businessman has got permission to open an Airbnb in part of a disused 737.

As previously reported, Colden Common man Steven Northam bought the front half of the plane on eBay from Chichester College, where it was used to train aircrew.

Mr Northam then completed a refit, adding sleeping space for up to four people, a kitchenette and on-board shower, with the refit being featured on the Channel 4 home improvement show George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces. He subsequently submitted a planning application to Winchester City Council to change the land, at Hangar Nurseries, Thompsons Lane, near Owslebury, from agricultural to tourism, with the change being granted on Tuesday, June 20.

Hampshire Chronicle: The interior of the planeThe interior of the plane (Image: Steven Northam)READ MORE: City deli expands to larger unit up the road to provide the produce consumers want

Mr Northam said: “It’s all gone through, which is great.

“I’ll be able to sleep again at night! It was a concern that if I didn’t get planning granted, what I would do with half a 737 plane if it wasn’t allowed to be there? But it’s granted and now I’m excited to crack on with finishing it up, getting it all ready and hopefully opening it up as an Air BnB in a few months.”

The part-time university lecturer told the Chronicle that the application was approved with only a few minor changes and conditions required, with a waste treatment plant for sewage needing to be added as well as planting trees to make the site less visible from the public highway.

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Mr Northam said that he hopes to have all the required changes made soon, and that he expects the Air BnB to receive guests at the end of the summer, with a waiting list of almost 300 customers.

Hampshire Chronicle: The interior of the planeThe interior of the plane (Image: Steven Northam)He continued: “The council were really supportive of this innovative, different quirky idea, which I wasn’t expecting. But everyone was quite supportive and helpful, and I’m glad it’s gone through.

"I’m going to wait and see what happens with the plane before I start anything else. Always in the back of my mind there’s probably some more quirky ideas out there, but it’s just wait and see what happens with this one first and then go from there.”