Doncaster Sheffield-3
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99.9% sure PEEL has zero intention of letting it go without a fight. When approached by the first consortium (a group of TUI investors) PEEL we're quickly to throw them out claiming it wasn't a "serious offer". Then comes consortium number 2, and number 3 the "UAE".. from which they simply got the offer they wanted but rejected both on grounds of "we dont know the source of your funds". Simple, get out of jail free card. Now, PEEL are hoping that the CPO cannot be funded and gets thrown out thus leaving them with reason not to put in for redevelopment plans citing "no credible offers".
Yes the approach lights, runway lights and so forth are all being removed and placed into "storage".. which is probably being carried out by Harry Hudini LTD.
Yes the approach lights, runway lights and so forth are all being removed and placed into "storage".. which is probably being carried out by Harry Hudini LTD.
I’m sure you know more, but reading between the lines a bit I would guess that the offers that have been placed in front of Peel so far will fall way short of what Peel might deem reasonable for a large chunk of development land that they sunk a lot of capital into to make it into an airport. This I think is what is holding up proceedings. What have these people been valuing the site on? A loss leading airport most likely..
As far as I’m aware, no official announcement has mentioned any asking price, but I think it’s reasonable to assume that a quarter of a £billion is what it would take for them to take anyone seriously. Unless you know otherwise?
Council must have some pretty bang to rights legal advice if they are to progress with the CPO, but I’m sure water off a ducks back to Peel who as always are keeping their cards close to their chest.
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Everyone could remember them closing the restricted Sheffield City Airport but conveniently no-one could ever remember that DSA would not have existed if not for them. That's one of the many reasons I didn't buy into the idea they were deliberately running Teesside into the ground. I'm a little behind on this discussion but I'm guessing it's relatively widely accepted that DSA was a Covid-closure and not a pre-determined long term plan? I have no doubt Teesside would have suffered the same spur-of-the-moment fate had they not sold, but the sale itself is sufficient proof they weren't after the land - because they gave it up for a fraction of its value.
Everyone could remember them closing the restricted Sheffield City Airport but conveniently no-one could ever remember that DSA would not have existed if not for them. That's one of the many reasons I didn't buy into the idea they were deliberately running Teesside into the ground. I'm a little behind on this discussion but I'm guessing it's relatively widely accepted that DSA was a Covid-closure and not a pre-determined long term plan? I have no doubt Teesside would have suffered the same spur-of-the-moment fate had they not sold, but the sale itself is sufficient proof they weren't after the land - because they gave it up for a fraction of its value.
That said, Peel are not an airport operator, they were chancers in the game who noticed a trend in the mid 90’s that was started by Easyjet and aided by BAE Systems with Liverpool and merely facilitated growth there after acquiring it. Tried to replicate this at MME and failed (and sued Bmibaby in the process), and their flagship at DSA opened probably ten years too late, by which time the competition had stolen a march on them.
"but rejected both on grounds of "we dont know the source of your funds"
Try opening a business bank account without telling them where the money is from - it's a legal requirement these days. The fact they wouldn't tell suggests it was either dodgy money or they had none.
Try opening a business bank account without telling them where the money is from - it's a legal requirement these days. The fact they wouldn't tell suggests it was either dodgy money or they had none.
Seen that not only are the approaches lights and concrete footings being completely removed, but also there are apparently trenches being dug which If true can only suggest all of the cabling and power supply is being removed too.
Anyone now think that perhaps Ros Jones is leading people up the garden path?
Anyone now think that perhaps Ros Jones is leading people up the garden path?
If they are on leased land, if they are terminating the lease they will have to return the land to it's original state. As somebpdy said earlier, in terms of re-instating the airport this is an insignificant cost.
I'd be more worried about who they would get to operate from there that would give it a sustainable future - pointless buying an airport that nobody wants to operate from
I'd be more worried about who they would get to operate from there that would give it a sustainable future - pointless buying an airport that nobody wants to operate from
If they are on leased land, if they are terminating the lease they will have to return the land to it's original state. As somebpdy said earlier, in terms of re-instating the airport this is an insignificant cost.
I'd be more worried about who they would get to operate from there that would give it a sustainable future - pointless buying an airport that nobody wants to operate from
I'd be more worried about who they would get to operate from there that would give it a sustainable future - pointless buying an airport that nobody wants to operate from
Well I expect the council have appointed some yes-men as their subject matter experts, so it’s likely they are more focussed currently on the legalities of retaining and ultimately acquiring the land rather than whether it actually is a viable venture. There is a large element of being pushed into a corner by people like Nick Fletcher MP who has done the equivalent of throwing a grenade into the crowd and stood back and watched, pushing people back into the firefight once or twice a week.
Might take some time for Ros Jones true motives to become clear, face value would suggest the Council are deadly serious about getting the airport reopened, nothing regarding any feasibility/viability studies have been released to the public short of a statement saying ‘we believe the airport can be viable’, I’m sure I’m not the only one that finds such a statement problematic.
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My point is that it is cheaper to remove it than it would be to reinstate it. Likewise the nav aids like ILS, which I’m led to believe can cost upwards of £3million per approach just to become operational. Then you will need the ATC equipment which I understand has been removed, necessary security equipment which must be into the £millions to purchase and install, Airfield fire fighting equipment again must be £millions. At a minimum you are probably talking over £20million to re-equip everything, not to mention recruiting and training staff. So yes, the approach lights probably aren’t a significant cost in the grand scheme of things, but it all adds up.
Well I expect the council have appointed some yes-men as their subject matter experts, so it’s likely they are more focussed currently on the legalities of retaining and ultimately acquiring the land rather than whether it actually is a viable venture. There is a large element of being pushed into a corner by people like Nick Fletcher MP who has done the equivalent of throwing a grenade into the crowd and stood back and watched, pushing people back into the firefight once or twice a week.
Might take some time for Ros Jones true motives to become clear, face value would suggest the Council are deadly serious about getting the airport reopened, nothing regarding any feasibility/viability studies have been released to the public short of a statement saying ‘we believe the airport can be viable’, I’m sure I’m not the only one that finds such a statement problematic.
Well I expect the council have appointed some yes-men as their subject matter experts, so it’s likely they are more focussed currently on the legalities of retaining and ultimately acquiring the land rather than whether it actually is a viable venture. There is a large element of being pushed into a corner by people like Nick Fletcher MP who has done the equivalent of throwing a grenade into the crowd and stood back and watched, pushing people back into the firefight once or twice a week.
Might take some time for Ros Jones true motives to become clear, face value would suggest the Council are deadly serious about getting the airport reopened, nothing regarding any feasibility/viability studies have been released to the public short of a statement saying ‘we believe the airport can be viable’, I’m sure I’m not the only one that finds such a statement problematic.
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What if the land owners dont want the lights putting back in should the airport ever get close to reopening?
It seems a very permanent removal rather than just storage which is being claimed.
It seems a very permanent removal rather than just storage which is being claimed.
They'd need planning permission - from the Council - opens the door for all sorts of conflict of interest cases if the Council are trying to buy the airfield.
The proposed Article 4 Directive covers the land upon which the approach lights sit/sat on both ends. What it doesn’t do though is prevent someone building something a bit further out on the approach. Although that may be unlikely, it appears the council in their wisdom have neglected to consider the wider approach clearance requirements.
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" it appears the council in their wisdom have neglected to consider the wider approach clearance requirements."
How much of Yorkshire are they planning to CP?
How much of Yorkshire are they planning to CP?
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I would be interested to know whether this 'agreement' between Doncaster Council and Peel is in writing or a Gentlemen's Agreement in which case Peel can do what they like!
I don’t believe they were consulted about the approach lights being taken down, otherwise they would have mentioned it before it happened. Also, I wouldn’t think equipment like that would take too kindly to being kept in ‘storage’ for too long.
Last edited by pug; 16th Apr 2023 at 11:02.
