Copied here is a posting I have made on another forum...
Ok people lets try and get a handle on this.
As far as I am aware I will not be out of a job in the near future. What the aerodrome operator has been saying for the last 10 years is that if the airport is too have a long term future then revenues need to be increased, and that the best way to do that is to try and attract some type of scheduled services.
An original plan for the future published in the late 1990's was a bit over enthusiastic with proposed passenger numbers and aircraft types and gave rise to local residents associations banding together to form 'Flighpath' as a Nimby superpower. That plan was shelved and this year, as a result of the Government White Paper on Aviation, the aerodrome operator has launched another scaled down 'Master Plan' and asked for local consultation.
This new 'Master Plan' can be viewed on the Biggin Hil Airport website
http://www.bigginhillairport.com. It remains the companies consideration that without revenue increases a long term future for the airport cannot be assured. You may have your own thoughts on that
The physical airport is still owned by Bromley Council and the airport operator has to abide by a lease agreement drawn up in 1994. The part of this lease pertaining to scheduled services is grey, but a high court battle between Bromley and the airport led to schedules being prohibited under the lease. The airport operator now want the terms of the lease amended to allow them.
The Nimby's have got their act in gear and have carpet bombed the local area with proformas for complainers to fill in and send off to the airport and the council. Judging by the amount of paperwork they are generating they must be receiving funding from somewhere to run their anti campaign. Should anyone wish to support the airports 'Master Plan' then letters should be sent to the airport for the attention of the Master Plan Team, or, if easier, then E mail to
[email protected]
As far as the local hospital in concerned......a few years ago Bromley Council had to decide between two sites for this building. They chose the one directly under the instrument approach to the main runway at Biggin Hill, at a range of 2.5 nm final
They have since approved housing developments at various points around the airport slowly boxing us in.
The rsidents of Biggin Hill village should be concerned about developments as they are the ones who would end up with a huge housing estate on their doorstep should the airport not remain profitable. The majority of 'Flighpath' members are not local residents, they live under the runway 21 approach at ranges extending to 10nm and are therefore safe from any major building works.
Regards
SATCO
Biggin Hill