The planning application for a new hangar and administration office
block has just been approved by the Salford City Planning Authority. This
means that the hangar nearest the Tower will be demolished, together
with the clubhouse. No date for this has been set.
Peel through their joint shareholders, the Manchester City Council, have
issued a Notice 25 stating that the LAC lease will not be renewed when
it expires on 25th March 2005.
LAC has spent £30,000 in legal fees with expensive London solicitors. If
LAC wishes to continue any court case it is stated that this would cost
a minimum £150,000. Should costs be awarded against the LAC then they
would be responsible for paying up to 80% of Peel's costs. Which suggests
that the total bill could amount to £350,000-£500,000.
And for what? Even if LAC won a favourable decision, Peel would still control
the airfield and facilities. Legal action against their Landlords is
therefore a no-win situation and LAC is not going to take legal action
of this magnitude.
The new hangar and admin building is reported to be costing £3 million.
New buildings and new facilities cost money, and these will have to be
paid for in higher charges by the users. It will become a question of
how much you can afford whether you stay or leave for pastures new. As
to pastures new, there is not a lot of choice, and equally the costs
involved at say Blackpool or Liverpool will be no different to those
expected to be imposed under the new management at Barton.
The statutory redundancy notices as required by law are to be issued to
the 50+ staff in December.