Barton happenings.....
I fear that Barton is much too close to the national motorway network to be ignored as building land by Messrs Peel. After all, they need big incomes to fuel their ambitions, and with the good road connections, they must be tempted, and there is no doubt that (sadly for the GA operators), it would fetch considerable amounts of money.
Consider Peel's recent bid for the Mersey Docks, and their need to finance this - or guarantee the money that will need to be replaced/used as collateral.
With regard to Woodford, IMHO it will not remain as an airfield for too much longer. Consider what has happened to Chadderton, and what is currently happening at Woodford (i.e. not a lot). South Manchester - prime building land - BAE Systems not in the civil aircraft manufacturing business any more...
As I said in another thread recently, whether we like it or not, the world (or at least the UK), is ruled by beancounters these days, and that, at the end of the day, is what Peel Holdings is all about. Philanthropy is rapidly disappearing from all corners of this green and pleasant land.
I thought the old Stretton airfield was divided into distribution areas, bus interchanges, lorry parks etc. Is there any space left for landing GA aircraft?
What about Hawarden? That is grossly underused - the odd Beluga, and few 125s for maintenance, and that's about it!