DURHAM TEES VALLEY AIRPORT - 5
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FSB denounce Peel as disastrous.
Peel are making the news in the village. This article was raised in the pub.
No wonder they didn't win the RGF bid for DTV Airport. The FSB have been looking into Peel.
https://bdaily.co.uk/industrials/20-...uth-yorkshire/
Some of the comments.
With over £6bn of assets, Peel are one of the largest property investment companies in the UK.
The FSB has voiced its concern over Peel’s influence in South Yorkshire.
FSB Regional Chairman, Gordon Millward, commented:
“We maintain that Peel’s closure of Sheffield City Airport – and its subsequent failure to meet its over-ambitious commitments in the switch to Robin Hood Airport - has been disastrous for the economic regeneration of South Yorkshire.“
Mr Millward was scathing in his assessment of Sheffield City Council’s part in the deals.
He said: “It seems that Sheffield City Council is building an unenviable reputation of allying itself to developers who fail to deliver.“
The FSB are concerned that Peel has had undue influence over the development of commercial aviation in South Yorkshire, and that their influence has not necessarily been in the best interests of those who wish to see major economic development of the Sheffield city region.
The FSB cite the the award of a £1.8m loan to Peel to redevelop the former site of Sheffield City Airport, but the FSB have found no evidence in their published accounts that they have the financial assets to complete the redevelopment, except by bidding for further public subsidies.
Peel acquired the airport site - 80 acres of land - from Sheffield City Council for £1 in 2002, five years after the government has spent £18m of taxpayers money on the project.
"It is hardly surprising that there is a perception Peel has local governance – if not local authorities themselves – in its pocket”.
“All Peel’s companies, including Tokenhouse Investments (Guernsey) Limited and Peel Ports Holdings (Ci) Limited, which is based in the Cayman Islands, lead to Tokenhouse Limited, registered in the Isle of Man…At the helm sits a tax exile, John Whittaker.“
Peel declined to comment on the FSB’s assertions.
---------------
Re DTV. Why did Hugh Lang want to give DTV Airport to Peel for the small sum of £500k and wouldnt talk to other interested parties at the time of the sale????
Something just doesnt add up when the land is worth many millions. It should be the councils who bring in the police on the dubious sale of DTV to Peel.
No wonder they didn't win the RGF bid for DTV Airport. The FSB have been looking into Peel.
https://bdaily.co.uk/industrials/20-...uth-yorkshire/
Some of the comments.
With over £6bn of assets, Peel are one of the largest property investment companies in the UK.
The FSB has voiced its concern over Peel’s influence in South Yorkshire.
FSB Regional Chairman, Gordon Millward, commented:
“We maintain that Peel’s closure of Sheffield City Airport – and its subsequent failure to meet its over-ambitious commitments in the switch to Robin Hood Airport - has been disastrous for the economic regeneration of South Yorkshire.“
Mr Millward was scathing in his assessment of Sheffield City Council’s part in the deals.
He said: “It seems that Sheffield City Council is building an unenviable reputation of allying itself to developers who fail to deliver.“
The FSB are concerned that Peel has had undue influence over the development of commercial aviation in South Yorkshire, and that their influence has not necessarily been in the best interests of those who wish to see major economic development of the Sheffield city region.
The FSB cite the the award of a £1.8m loan to Peel to redevelop the former site of Sheffield City Airport, but the FSB have found no evidence in their published accounts that they have the financial assets to complete the redevelopment, except by bidding for further public subsidies.
Peel acquired the airport site - 80 acres of land - from Sheffield City Council for £1 in 2002, five years after the government has spent £18m of taxpayers money on the project.
"It is hardly surprising that there is a perception Peel has local governance – if not local authorities themselves – in its pocket”.
“All Peel’s companies, including Tokenhouse Investments (Guernsey) Limited and Peel Ports Holdings (Ci) Limited, which is based in the Cayman Islands, lead to Tokenhouse Limited, registered in the Isle of Man…At the helm sits a tax exile, John Whittaker.“
Peel declined to comment on the FSB’s assertions.
---------------
Re DTV. Why did Hugh Lang want to give DTV Airport to Peel for the small sum of £500k and wouldnt talk to other interested parties at the time of the sale????
Something just doesnt add up when the land is worth many millions. It should be the councils who bring in the police on the dubious sale of DTV to Peel.
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Sounds very odd that Hugh wouldnt talk to interested parties when DTV was up for sale before Peel got it for a song?
Didn't Hugh take a job at Peel as a regional director or something after the sale of DTV to Peel?
Who would investigate the DTV deal to see who got what and why?
Was Hugh the sole person dealing with the various interested parties at the time, or were the 6 councils involved in the sale of DTV?
Thats a lot of ??'s and it might be one for the fraud squad.
Didn't Hugh take a job at Peel as a regional director or something after the sale of DTV to Peel?
Who would investigate the DTV deal to see who got what and why?
Was Hugh the sole person dealing with the various interested parties at the time, or were the 6 councils involved in the sale of DTV?
Thats a lot of ??'s and it might be one for the fraud squad.
Guys - please can we give the speculative fraud thing a rest ? If you think there were some dodgy dealings, talk to Mr/Mrs Plod, the Audit Commission at Audit Commission | Protecting the public purse or the Serious Fraud Office at Serious Fraud Office (SFO)
If you don't want to complain to any of these organisations about it... then please try to talk about something else...
If you don't want to complain to any of these organisations about it... then please try to talk about something else...
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Hugh Lang was only the MD, and a pretty second rate MD at that (notice how Prestwick only started to boom after his departure).
My point is, he would have had little or no say in the sale, let alone carried out the negotiations.
My point is, he would have had little or no say in the sale, let alone carried out the negotiations.
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The £500,000 DTV gift - Who allowed it to happen and why?
Most people I speak to in the village think it's a crime that the airport was sold for the very small sum of £500,000. Most didnt know until recently.
£500,000 Thats less than some houses here in Middleton St.George!
What where the councils thinking of, and why didnt they include a small clause to make sure Peel spent the promised £20m.
The money was never invested in the airport so who is responsible for giving the airport away to Peel in the first place if it wasnt Hughie?
£500,000 Thats less than some houses here in Middleton St.George!
What where the councils thinking of, and why didnt they include a small clause to make sure Peel spent the promised £20m.
The money was never invested in the airport so who is responsible for giving the airport away to Peel in the first place if it wasnt Hughie?
Answers to Beafers questions...
from the Northern Echo in 2003
Peel Holdings are believed to have offered to pay £500,000 for 75 per cent of the shares owned by the five local authorities who own Teesside Airport. It will also contribute £100,000 towards the costs of doing the deal. The report says the cost of transferring the airport could be as high as £500,000 - meaning the authorities may end up receiving £100,000 between them. Following the sale, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Stockton, Redcar and Cleveland and Durham county/Darlington councils will retain a 25 per cent share in the airport, which will eventually fall to 12 per cent. A statement from the five shareholding councils said "In reality it will result in a massive investment, running into many millions of pounds over the next five years. As was made clear by the shareholders, when the choice of Peel Airports as the 'preferred bidder' to become a strategic partner in the airport was announced in January, they believe that this is the most viable option for securing the levels of investment needed for the key projects which will enable the airport to maximise its own potential - and contribute to the regeneration of the communities its serves. The interest of the shareholders in negotiating the agreement with Peel is to maximise investment in the long-term future of the airport - not to generate short-term returns for themselves."
John Williams, the leader of Darlington Borough Council, said Peel had a good track record, having already turned around the fortunes of Liverpool Airport. He said the deal was the only way forward. "Anyone who uses the airport can see that it urgently needs major investment, The £20m private sector investment will give Teesside Airport a future. Without this, it will be stuck in a cycle of decline which will eventually lead to its closure." Councillor David Walsh, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, and a member of airport committee, said: "In the present situation, it is the only way the airport can get in the investment that it needs to prosper and grow. It has to be a calculated risk. There was no way that the local authorities would have the money at their disposal to turn it into an airport fit for the coming decades. But we are getting £20m from Peel, who are to remodel the terminal and apron, providing more slots for aircraft, and attracting retailers into the departure lounge. This money will go hand in hand with cash from One NorthEast which is going into the infrastructure and providing better access to the airport."
Hugh Lang, airport managing director, said the Peel development would provide everything the public sector cannot fund - such as buildings and land - and provide long-term investment. "We are trying to identify areas of investment so that we can hit the ground running as soon as everything is signed." he said. A spokesman from Peel Airports said: "We totally endorse the statement of the shareholders." The company has promised to refurbish the main terminal building and construct a new parallel taxiway for aircraft serving a cargo depot. It will also work with One NorthEast to create a 400,000 sq ft business park on a 25-acre site, complete with its own access road, and has said it would be happy to offer each of the local authority shareholders a seat on the airport's board.
John Williams, the leader of Darlington Borough Council, said Peel had a good track record, having already turned around the fortunes of Liverpool Airport. He said the deal was the only way forward. "Anyone who uses the airport can see that it urgently needs major investment, The £20m private sector investment will give Teesside Airport a future. Without this, it will be stuck in a cycle of decline which will eventually lead to its closure." Councillor David Walsh, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, and a member of airport committee, said: "In the present situation, it is the only way the airport can get in the investment that it needs to prosper and grow. It has to be a calculated risk. There was no way that the local authorities would have the money at their disposal to turn it into an airport fit for the coming decades. But we are getting £20m from Peel, who are to remodel the terminal and apron, providing more slots for aircraft, and attracting retailers into the departure lounge. This money will go hand in hand with cash from One NorthEast which is going into the infrastructure and providing better access to the airport."
Hugh Lang, airport managing director, said the Peel development would provide everything the public sector cannot fund - such as buildings and land - and provide long-term investment. "We are trying to identify areas of investment so that we can hit the ground running as soon as everything is signed." he said. A spokesman from Peel Airports said: "We totally endorse the statement of the shareholders." The company has promised to refurbish the main terminal building and construct a new parallel taxiway for aircraft serving a cargo depot. It will also work with One NorthEast to create a 400,000 sq ft business park on a 25-acre site, complete with its own access road, and has said it would be happy to offer each of the local authority shareholders a seat on the airport's board.
Last edited by SWBKCB; 23rd Aug 2013 at 16:21.
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Re the Councils and the Airport
All I can say as a Durham County Council Tax payer of many years, is that history shows whwnever the council has dabbled in anything remotely like a commercial activity, it has ended up as a net cost to the council tax payer (and the same goes for the district Councils that preceded the unitary authority). Elected councillors are (mostly) non-commercial, but they are also supposedly "expertly" advised by well paid officers who are mainly LA servants man and boy, and therefore also lacking in commercial experience.
Peel are just commercially smarter than the LA's generally. It would appear that whoever is currently pulling the strings for the Regional Growth Fund is commercially smarter than Peel.
LA's should stick to focussing on the things they are statutorily required to do - bins, social services, housing, etc. They have let go of the airport for a song, but that is possibly a better financial outcome than if they had carried on.
We are where we are. Move on.
Peel are just commercially smarter than the LA's generally. It would appear that whoever is currently pulling the strings for the Regional Growth Fund is commercially smarter than Peel.
LA's should stick to focussing on the things they are statutorily required to do - bins, social services, housing, etc. They have let go of the airport for a song, but that is possibly a better financial outcome than if they had carried on.
We are where we are. Move on.
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SWBKCB, a very informative post. Good to see the Northern Echo keeps detailed reports.
Hipenine, we may be were we are as you say, but its not a good place to be from the publics point of view.
The public owned 100% of the airport ten years ago, but how much now 11% or more?
Its a disgrace and I dont think it can be down to council officials just not knowing what they are doing? Surely they have legal teams. Out of the 6 local authorities, one of those lawyers must have seen the flaws in giving Peel an initial 75% of DTV for a fraction of its worth?
Land worth £30m Given away for £500k, better odds than the lotto
Hipenine, we may be were we are as you say, but its not a good place to be from the publics point of view.
The public owned 100% of the airport ten years ago, but how much now 11% or more?
Its a disgrace and I dont think it can be down to council officials just not knowing what they are doing? Surely they have legal teams. Out of the 6 local authorities, one of those lawyers must have seen the flaws in giving Peel an initial 75% of DTV for a fraction of its worth?
Land worth £30m Given away for £500k, better odds than the lotto
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NorthboundA1, yes they have legal teams. The legal teams would have confirmed that the contract was legal or not, but the strategic decision making would have been by the senior councillors involved, and "ably advised" by their chief officers on multi-thousand pound salaries. None of them with any experience of the real commercial world whatsoever.
It was a similar kind of story up the road at NCL, when the senior councillors, no doubt also ably advised, allowed an airport MD and FD to mortgage the airport for a crippling loan, and managed to get themselves a multi-million £ bonus as a result. Said councillors, then wasted more council tax payers £ on legal action against their auditors, claiming that they should have stopped the councillors agreeing to it. The Judge said basically don't be so bleeding stupid, you lot were on the appropriate decision making board, you had the papers, and you signed off on them- don't expect others to take the blame for your own failings.
It is all a disgrace, but that is our democracy for you, so why be surprised when some individuals or organisations take advantage of the weaknesses.
It was a similar kind of story up the road at NCL, when the senior councillors, no doubt also ably advised, allowed an airport MD and FD to mortgage the airport for a crippling loan, and managed to get themselves a multi-million £ bonus as a result. Said councillors, then wasted more council tax payers £ on legal action against their auditors, claiming that they should have stopped the councillors agreeing to it. The Judge said basically don't be so bleeding stupid, you lot were on the appropriate decision making board, you had the papers, and you signed off on them- don't expect others to take the blame for your own failings.
It is all a disgrace, but that is our democracy for you, so why be surprised when some individuals or organisations take advantage of the weaknesses.
Hipennine -
It's certainly democracy, and it's a certain type of democracy. From my viewpoint Darn Sarf, I would expect every one of the County Durham councils to be Labour-controlled.
If I'm right, the councillors will not only have no experience of commercial management, but they will have spent their time trying to criticise and undermine private enterprise. Just as a Labour Government screwed the country, so Labour Councils are screwing their ratepayers by their incompetence.
Perhaps a few more people in Co. Durham should be voting for parties other than Labour! Democracy would be healthier as a result, so would the councils and their taxpayers.
It's certainly democracy, and it's a certain type of democracy. From my viewpoint Darn Sarf, I would expect every one of the County Durham councils to be Labour-controlled.
If I'm right, the councillors will not only have no experience of commercial management, but they will have spent their time trying to criticise and undermine private enterprise. Just as a Labour Government screwed the country, so Labour Councils are screwing their ratepayers by their incompetence.
Perhaps a few more people in Co. Durham should be voting for parties other than Labour! Democracy would be healthier as a result, so would the councils and their taxpayers.
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60,000 passenger in one weekend!
Some Peel news from their own PR dept.
Peel expect 60,000 passengers in one weekend to pass through Liverpool Airport, which is the same amount which go through DTV in 6 months.
Why arent Peel putting the same routes and effort into DTV?
Peel obviously have the airline contacts and determination to make Liverpool a success. Why isnt this happening at DTV?
Busiest Weekend of the Year for LJLA - The Peel Group
"Friday, 23 August 2013
Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) is preparing for its busiest weekend of the year once again with the August Bank Holiday expected to bring over 60,000 travellers passing through the Airport.
Over 30,000 passengers are expected to depart from the Airport this weekend alone starting today, with the vast majority heading to the sunshine resorts on the Mediterranean. "
Or was it only ever the land Peel wanted in the north east?
Peel expect 60,000 passengers in one weekend to pass through Liverpool Airport, which is the same amount which go through DTV in 6 months.
Why arent Peel putting the same routes and effort into DTV?
Peel obviously have the airline contacts and determination to make Liverpool a success. Why isnt this happening at DTV?
Busiest Weekend of the Year for LJLA - The Peel Group
"Friday, 23 August 2013
Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) is preparing for its busiest weekend of the year once again with the August Bank Holiday expected to bring over 60,000 travellers passing through the Airport.
Over 30,000 passengers are expected to depart from the Airport this weekend alone starting today, with the vast majority heading to the sunshine resorts on the Mediterranean. "
Or was it only ever the land Peel wanted in the north east?
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Airport Stuffed!
Well said LGS6753 Who but Labour Councils would sell something worth £30,000,000 for £500,000. If they were in business they'd go bust in less than a year.
Time has proved that Peel don't want to build the business as an airport. If they did it wouldn't be in the mess that it is in now. They've had years to do something.
Discussion has been going on, on the PPRune site, for years about the subject. Peel is a money rich company. Worth I believe something like £16 billion. They have the money for investment, but not in DTVA. They have proved this. They don't need a Government hand-out as they have the money. If a project is viable get on with it and do it.
OK shoot me down if you wish.
Time has proved that Peel don't want to build the business as an airport. If they did it wouldn't be in the mess that it is in now. They've had years to do something.
Discussion has been going on, on the PPRune site, for years about the subject. Peel is a money rich company. Worth I believe something like £16 billion. They have the money for investment, but not in DTVA. They have proved this. They don't need a Government hand-out as they have the money. If a project is viable get on with it and do it.
OK shoot me down if you wish.
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They don't need a Government hand-out as they have the money. If a project is viable get on with it and do it.
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LGS6753:
Yeah you're right, if only Peel had been allowed to get on with their development of DTV unfettered by criticism and not bogged down by the dead hand of handouts from the taxpayer undermining their entrepreneurial spirit.
If I'm right, the councillors will not only have no experience of commercial management, but they will have spent their time trying to criticise and undermine private enterprise.
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The Answer
I don't have the answer, but the professionals should have. But that's only if they want to do something.
I notice that there are lots of comments in tonight's Evening Gazette from readers.
What does puzzle me is that I can't remember ever seeing an advert by KLM or DTVA trying to boost their trade to AMS. Many business people who I know have used that route to places all over the world, but non-business friends have not thought of it. Some have used the route since I mentioned it.
I notice that there are lots of comments in tonight's Evening Gazette from readers.
What does puzzle me is that I can't remember ever seeing an advert by KLM or DTVA trying to boost their trade to AMS. Many business people who I know have used that route to places all over the world, but non-business friends have not thought of it. Some have used the route since I mentioned it.
Who but Labour Councils would sell something worth £30,000,000 for £500,000. If they were in business they'd go bust in less than a year.
Also, Peel might not need Govt handouts, but they'd be stupid to ignore them if they were on offer. Be interesting now to see what they do i.e. is the southside development viable on a purely commercial basis?
I notice that there are lots of comments in tonight's Evening Gazette from readers.
Chaps - I know some of you might tell me that if I don't like it I should just b*gger orff but could we try to make the content of this thread slightly less parochial ? There seems to be a lot on here that is just a repeat of the same opinions with little in the way of facts or new info - gets a little boring to read the same thing every week...
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Get on with Peel
Indeed, we'd like to see the airport "take off" and we'd love to see lots of aircraft in and out. That's why it is discussed even though much is negative.
I checked earlier and it seems to be one of the very highly read topics on PPRuNe as 517,913 people have taken the bother to read what is posted.
What we now need is action from Peel or for them to step away and let someone else try, but do you think they'd let it go for the £500,000 that they paid for it? Joke!
I checked earlier and it seems to be one of the very highly read topics on PPRuNe as 517,913 people have taken the bother to read what is posted.
What we now need is action from Peel or for them to step away and let someone else try, but do you think they'd let it go for the £500,000 that they paid for it? Joke!
Last edited by Lancelot37; 27th Aug 2013 at 21:06.
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If you have a look at DTV movements, DTVMovements for today, you would see that there are a few aircraft in and out and is exactly the kind of business the airport should be trying to attract while trying to build up passenger flights.