Im surprised Woodvale has escaped the bean counters for so long
I'm not surprised at all. Assuming that the land is owned outright by the MoD, there has been almost no investment in the airfield for decades, it is bought and paid for and probably earns a small sum in rent (assuming that civil aviation remains part of the Woodvale skyline) It is also an effective buffer keeping joe public away from the Red Squirrels and protected toads associated with the adjacent sand dunes. I doubt it is within the Liverpool green belt if indeed such a thing remains and although any land has development potential, Woodvale is surrounded by hundreds of acres of farmland that could serve as housing estates if required. In short, it costs little to retain and all things being considered, would probably raise little if sold.