Sywell Runway approved at long last!

[windymiller7]

The Sywell runway plan has been given the go-ahead

The controversial proposals for the runway have finally been given the go-ahead following a nine-year campaign by residents top block the developments, and £1 million investment by the aerodrome's operators to secure permission

A report issued by the DfT confirmed the runway can be built and concluded that there is no reason for planners to alter their application by reducing its length, denying calls from campaigners that it would have a detrimental impact on the area.


In the final report, DfT spokesman Peter Kember said: "The inspector recommended that the appeal be allowed and planning permission granted subject to conditions.

"It was suggested that the scope of the appeal application be "cut down" and that the paved runway should be reduced in length and width and relocated further from the village, but the Secretaries of State agree with the Inspector's reasoning and conclusion, and consider that there is no clear evidential justification for the grant of permission for something less than the development applied for."


:)

[znww5]

The best bit of GA news in a long time. :D

Delighted to hear that one of my favourite GA airfields has finally beaten the NIMBY's and will be able to tackle the winter water logging problem. :ok:

[TheGorrilla]

Jolly good show!

Reckon it would be even better if permission was granted to flatten a few nimbys houses too. :E:E:E

I'll have to come along and make use of it.

[sp6]

Fantastic, a win for once.

Just as long as it doesn't end up for VLJ's only and SEP's are unwelcome.....

[Sir George Cayley]

The Dft's spokepersonage - Peter Kember?:eek:

He gets everywhere.:D:

Hope he and BB get on - that'll be a 1st.:{

But, hey hats off to the lot of them. Not many RWYs get pp these days.

And the last time I landed at Sywell the ground run was not a lot.

Sir George Cayley

[mawse]

pitty mbb is doing his best to destroy the flying club with silly demands re : £ 500 etc :mad::ugh::ugh::ugh:
has soooooo much potential :bored:

[ericferret]

Many moons ago MBB's dog known to us as Charlie Brown used to sh*t on our lawn in Sywell village.
Attempts to get him to resolve the issue came to nought.

Eventually the wife got p*ss*ed off, collected a shovel full and deposited it on his desk
at the airfield.

We never missed that village after we moved.

[HeliCraig]

That is bloody brilliant news! Well done to all involved... suppose I'll have to contend with the fix wingers on wet days now too :)!

It was nice having the field to ourselves when it was waterlogged, and hearing the RT "airfield closed to fixed wing".. but so unfair on the fixed wing guys - it is a brilliant airfield, very friendly and excellent facilities.

Can't wait for them to get started on it. :ok:

As for MBB, had no interaction with the man myself - but there appears to be no shortage of rumours / aggrieved people floating about. However... he has fought hard for the runway and got it, something he should be thanked for.

[S-Works]

Very friendly? On what planet..............

Do we start on the cash grabs from peoples credit cards without permission, the fact the BB has the most deep seated dislike of ordinary people who he sees as beneath him. Thinks he comes from landed gentry.

Or the rude arrogance of his staff who think it acceptable to physically abuse a visitor on a weather diversion (myself and student).

[znww5]

Having visited Sywell on numerous occasions, I must say that my experience has always been positive with polite, friendly and helpful staff. That's one reason why I was particularly pleased to find that they have got permission for a hard runway.

The facilities are second to none, but of course being a visiting pilot I wouldn't know about internal politics.

I'd be intrigued to hear how a weather diversion culminated in "physical abuse" - presumably the assault was reported to the police? Sounds like far more than a 'bad hair day'.

[S-Works]

I was physically attacked by the fireman/refueller at Sywell in front of my student and numerous other witnesses including a poster on this thread.

The fireman even called a number of the people who saw it to ask if they thought he was out of order!

Personally I could not care if the place vanished into a black hole.
:O

[Jeff Bell]

Seems Bose-X has a grudge against us here at Sywell, nothing to do with the fact you were (and still are) banned from the airfield by any chance, not to mention Leicester aswell ??!!

Despite what you say, we ARE a friendly airfield as many kind words exchanged on various forums and by those who visit us prove. I have been ATC Manager at Sywell for 3 years now, after 28 years in the RAF as an ATCO, and we have favourable comments on the airfield and it's facilities every day. Any visitor this year will have seen what is on offer at Sywell, I won't list all the successful events we have held, or the variety of aircraft on offer, the proof is in the satisfied customers.

As for recent personal smear campaigns against Sywell staff, well that just goes to confirm your anti-Sywell attitude. Instead of listening to the negative attitude to this sad individual, why not visit us and see for yourself what a great airfield Sywell is.

What GA does not need are people like you with such a negativity.

[old,not bold]

Exactly 40 years ago I nearly killed myself hauling a Prentice over the hedge at the end of Sywell's short, soggy, badly mowed grass runway, teetering on a stall. It was my first flight in the under-powered wreck, which I had just bought at Shackletons for £700. I never went back there.

I can recall muttering "Time they got a decent runway".

Well done, Sywell, I'm glad someone was listening.

Don't worry about people calling you rude; it can't be worse than that dreadful character in the Sywell tower in those days.

[localresident]

As a relatively new resident to Sywell (and not a NIMBY). I am nevertheless concerned over the hard runway - a balanced view probably reflected by other residents - I appreciate the various arguments in terms of safety and utilisation, however now that the decision has been made, I optimistically hope that the general character and relatively peaceful nature of the village will not change.

I don't personally think that demolishing a few NIMBY's houses is a very helpful comment even if only meant in jest(?).

- I've been up in a microlight myself from Sywell and greatly enjoyed the experience (i.e. you can see my house from here!) and both myself and family enjoy seeing the current aircraft and microlights flying overhead. - However as a non flyer, does anyone know what sort of aircraft I can expect to be flying overhead in the future given the increased capacity both in numbers and size of aircraft i.e. when I'm in the garden with family and friends am I going to spill my pint?

[Contacttower]

I was physically attacked by the fireman/refueller at Sywell in front of my student and numerous other witnesses including a poster on this thread.



Sorry, I have to ask, why on earth did the fireman attack you?

[znww5]

Localresident - first of all I was very pleased to read that you enjoyed your flying, I'm sure that relations between 'them and us' would be much easier if people understood what light aircraft flying is all about by having the chance to experience it themselves.

The vast majority of pilots do everything they can to minimise any noise nuisance to those on the ground and where it is safe to do so aircraft are routed away from habitation.

With quieter, more fuel efficient aircraft gradually entering the light aircraft fleet, most of us expect the situation to improve over the coming years, so the chances of spilling your drink will be significantly reduced!

[S-Works]

Strange no one mentioned I was banned from Leicester while at the Pilots supper last weekend nor while renewing my membership. Better get your facts right before you start gobbing off Mr Bell.

The fireman attacked me for being on the airfield when as Mr Bell rightly points out I am banned. The fact that attacking me was a little immature and that the reason I was there was a WEATHER DIVERSION with a STUDENT seemed to evade him. Not exactly what you would call good manners around a student is it? And a smear would be spreading something untrue like insinuating I am banned from Leicester. There were at least SIX witnesses to the event and said fireman even called at least two of them to admit he was out of order!!

But they do say that those with limited intelligence always resort to violence when they run out of things to say.

I will also point out that I have tried to reasonable and hold out the olive branch to the management. And for the record the reason I was banned was for writing in support of NSF during there troubles and subsequent eviction by the management. Apparantly BB is very sensitive about anyone making critical comments about him and so it seems are his staff...........

[HeliCraig]

Bose-X I am really sorry you have had a bad time with Sywell in the past, and by the sound of it won't be using the new runway too often - in my original post I was sticking to the "speak as you find" principle.

I trained at Sywell and still fly from there (SFH from Sloanes); and everyone at the airfield - and in The Aviator - have been nothing but brilliant to me; especially Mr. Bell (although we have never met formally).

Putting your issues with Sywell / theres with you aside, this news is a very rare good news story for GA generally and especially for Sywell - I am sure on that we can at least agree.

Lets hope it sets is the start of some more sensible thinking from those responsible for our planning laws!

[Jeff Bell]

If the information I was given about BoseX and Leicester is incorrect, then I apologise.

In relation to the events of recent years, for example the closing of Ipswich, the hassles Mark Jeffries had at Little Gransden, and the ridiculous restrictions at Turweston, I was angered that the petty personal vendetta of one individual against Sywell should overshadow what is a major victory for GA.

Thank you to those individuals who have been positive, and look forward to see you at Sywell in the future.

[IO540]

This is excellent news for UK GA.

Particularly interesting is the DfT backing. At the Nov 2006 CAA London conference the DfT man (who was no wimp) said that they would work for a change in planning law to enable new GA airfields to be created, knowing that they can't stop property developers from gradually closing down the existing ones. Maybe this is an example of this policy, which would be truly great news.

I've never been to Sywell - it's too cold "up norff" :)

[S-Works]

If the information I was given....

Then you should have checked your facts before making such a post. I suspect information given to you from the same man who abused me. Starting to see a pattern......

You are busy trying to convince us how you are all warm and cuddly yet as soon as someone says something that you don't like you accuse them of smearing you and the start your own smear campaign!!!

And you will find it is your boss who is perpetuating a petty vendetta campaign I have tried to offer an olive branch several times over the last five years.......;)

I will however accept your apology especially as it is so rare from one of BB's men.

[tunalic2]

Last winter the place pretty much closed due to water logging, so this will allow year round ops for fixed wing.

Also occasional business travel for local industry which has to be good for the area.

[bigbloke]

This is good news.

Is there any detail around regarding how long, wide, orientation and when it is expected to be completed ?

BB

[rotorcraig]

Great news, well done to everyone involved.

Local rag (http://www.northantset.co.uk/news/Runway-plan-is-approved.3518400.jp) reporting the inevitable "objectors are not happy with the plans and are planning to again appeal".

RC

[yakker]

While it appears to be a good thing, this hard runway, how will MBB recover his costs? He has spent £1m so far, and the cost of build is reported to be £1.7m. So thats an expenditure of almost £3m. The extra flying from private owners will raise no extra, the flying school is certainly not making a great deal (unlike a few years ago), and with the £500 fiasco I cannot believe that will change. Maybe the landing fees will go up to visitors.
As for private jets, why would they use Sywell, no night lights or ILS etc.
So is the real plan a sell out to TNT or someone similar, and sod private aviation.

[Contacttower]

So is the real plan a sell out to TNT or someone similar, and sod private aviation.


I hope not...it would be awful to discover that after all this GA had (not for the first time) shot itself in the foot.

[HeliCraig]

The extra flying from private owners will raise no extra,
I wouldn't be so sure. I lost count of the number of times last winter when I heard "airfield closed to fixed wing" on otherwise excellent flying days. All due to water logging.

So on those days - with the exception of based rotary - the airfield turned over £0. Yet it still had AFIS and Fire Cover to provide, so ran at a huge loss on those days I guess.

After the "all weather runway" (as pitched) is opened they will be able to be open for business, so it will raise extra money... question is how many days does it have to be open to make 3 million quid out of GA??

Does it add value to the airfield, if MBB wanted to sell? Perhaps it means that aviation related firms are more likely to want to rent the various industrial units already spread around the airfield?

Hopefully MBB will explain in some forum, or perhaps Mr. Bell might know, how it is planned to pay for the new r/way?

[IO540]

I don't think anybody needs to explain anything.

Like farming nowadays, diversification is important. An airfield in the UK, not receiving any subsidy, cannot make ends meet from landing fees alone (unless it's a Gatwick type operation which probably collects an average fee of £500-£1000).

Any airfield, if it is to remain clean, well maintained, and employs the required numbers of yellow jacketed "security" :yuk: "personnel", has to go for commercial property development around the perimeter. And why not? All pilots should want a healthy clean airfield. The obstacle to this is the local planning authority, but it has got to be done. If it isn't done, you end up with a decrepit un-maintained place (like most of UK's GA airfields actually) which is OK for Sunday afternoon taildragger enthusiasts but is no good for anything serious.

I've never been to Sywell but the principle will hold everywhere.

Also I don't think it actually costs £1.7M to build a 1000m hard runway. It doesn't have to be thick enough for a 737.

[yakker]

£1M has not actually been spent on the appeal
That is the figure straight from MBB's mouth on local TV.

actually costs £1.7M to build a 1000m hard runway
That is the cost according to MBB, dont forget there is taxiways to build, local roads to alter, so its sounds conservative to me.

The problem the locals and airfield users have is MBB, they feel he cannot be trusted, and this is the first step to a bigger plan. Previous posters have described what he is like. He likes to surround himself with yes men, and is probably why Jeff (as nice a bloke as he is) has registered on here and the Flyer forum to try and counter the underlying feelings at Sywell.

[Contacttower]

even Citations need more to operate at decent weights.


I wouldn't be suprised if some of the smaller Citations appeared at Sywell after the new runway is built. I'm currently flying out of Virginia Airport in Durban which has a 950m runway and several Citations based there.

[S-Works]

He has problems with his own board. He used to run the company like his own personal kingdom , since the previous chairman died and his sons have taken over who dislike 'he who must not be named' intensely he is having a much harder time thankfully.

Problem with 'he who must not be named; is he is a bully and looks down on mere mortals, virtually everyone who works for him lives in fear of him.

He is small minded and petty. Maybe one day he will be ousted and Sywell will be the warm welcoming place that Jeff is trying so hard to convince us off once again. At the moment it just has a cancer at it's core.

[jeffbell59]

:mad: I can see I'd do best by urinating into wind ! :ugh:
TNT night flights, with Luton and East Midlands nearby (yeah right !)
Me, purely joining to be the Sywell Mole (yeah right !)
True, I Have just joined The Flyer Forum as I have only just found out about it, but I have been on PPrune a lot longer. Now I remember why I don't visit this site much, talk about Grumpy Old Men :\

[IO540]

It's the General Aviation Strong Personality Cult.

They clash like titans.

Best to avoid it.

[S-Works]

I must apologise to you Jeff as I understand it you are actually a very personable chap.

Unfortunately your boss does you no favours and raises the blood pressure of a great many people. I have been around the area for a very long time and mix with the people that he aspires to socialise with and the stories are rife.

We could go off at a tangent discussing the punching he has had at hunt meetings, the acts of vandalism against his property that he inspires people to etc etc etc.

I find the man rude and arrogant and a bully. But that is just my personal opinion. I am sure you find him a warm and cuddly bunny who is just misunderstood........ :O

Maybe when he starts to behave like a human being and let bygones be bygones he might get better press. Until that time I will be a thorn in his side...... :ok:

[yakker]

TNT night flights, with Luton and East Midlands nearby
So how is Sywell going to recover its £2.7m investment? MBB said all he needed was half a dozen private jets to locate to Sywell and the investment would be justified. So with Cranfield and Coventry nearby with ILS why would any private jets move to Sywell. But if he intending to install the necessary kit so they move to Sywell, then it makes it good for TNT, UPS or whoever.

Instead of p**sing into wind, turn downwind and enlighten us.

[kevwal]

Hi

Has anyone got a link to the full details of what has been approved? I'm thinking of plans, limitations that have been agreed to in terms of movements, etc?

Thanks
Kev

[llanfairpg]

Should a fireman who has assaulted someone really be employed at this airfield. and if you were assaulted why have you not taken legal action?

I should mention that the 1996 Defamation Act says that you do not have to refer to anyone by name to be guilty of defamation. If it is obvious to just one other person who the person is defamation is proven if the statement is proved to be defamatory.

[S-Works]

Because I am not American and life does not revolve around the courts.

Because I was on a bad weather diversion with a student who was disturbed enough by having to divert and even more disturbed by the incident and taking legal action involves getting the police involved which would have meant grounding the aircraft as it was close to day end.

I have 6 witnesses to the event two of whom he phoned afterwards realising the childish way he had behaved.

I am also a firm believer in what goes around comes around.

So should he be employed? I would guess that the sub normal mental capacity that is displayed by assaulting a visitor in front of a wide variety of witnesses probably means the only job he is good for is pumping fuel so as a mercy case why not?

[llanfairpg]

Sorry do not agree

Assault is a criminal offence and you have a responsiblity as a citizen of this country to notify the Police. The fact that you did not compounds the offence, if eveyone took that attiude we would live in a pretty **** country.

In my experience people who have to resort to violence are usually bullies who repeat offend. The criminal justice systym in this country is designed to prevent such bullies having a free rein with no redress.

If the offence you alledge has been commited on the airfield then you would expect a responsible mangement to dismiss the character concerned, I certainly would.

[S-Works]

Yes you would. But who has ever said the airfield has reasonable management. The MD bans people for life for expressing an opinion about the operation. Do you really think his staff care about public relations with management like that?

Anyway I am done on this subject now. Thanks for the lecture on civic responsibilities. I have enough on my plate with getting involved in a crusade and as I said, what goes around comes around.....

[Arrestahook]

I very much like yakker would like to know where BB thinks the money is going to come from? The company was in considerable debt from all the facia development of the airfield even before the first application for a hard runway was rejected. I think yakker is quite right £1.7 million sounds conservative to bulid the runway and alter surrounding public roads, and that's saying nothing of adding approach facilities for commercial traffic. Where is the revenue going to come from to service that level of debt? . Its not from the few extra £10 landing fees he would get through the winter or being able to fly his CTs a little more. Even a few citation jets not millions make.
I seem to remember one of his bleatings after another rejection being: 'If we cannot install a hard runway and make the airfield pay (After I have spent all this money) then it is no longer viable as an airfield.'
Would it be worth more for commercial property?
Is this the game plan all along.

I love Sywell aerodrome it is a beautiful and historic airfield and I am glad that a top chap like Jeff is the face of it, but I would like it to stay that way, as an aireld. It could be a magnificent place and Im afraid I have to agree with Bose on this one, it is plagued like a cancer by a thoroughly unpleasant and nasty peice of work..

[TCAS FAN]

Jeff Bell

Unless I have missed something from reading the UK AIP, Sywell currently provides AFIS, not ATC. ATS Manager you maybe, ATC Manager you are not!

Haven't been back to Sywell for many years, last time that I was there was at a Shackelton's weekend, when some dude, after a tour around it, tried to sell my Dad an executive equipped DC4!

[llanfairpg]

I would just like to add that I think Sywell is one of the most important aviation sites, from a aviation transport historical pont of view, in this country and not only that but a very atractive pleasant place to fly into.

Long may it last and have the support it deserves.

[HeliCraig]

I am 100% with llanfairpg on that one.

TCAS: I seem to recall reading a whole thread somewhere on here about what AFIS / ATS / ATC / XYZ people are and aren't allowed to call themselves when answering the telephone.... it seemed very open to how / what you read into the various service titles and guide lines. It may have just been a typo, of course - it's only one letter (ATS / ATC!). :)

[TPS1975]

I don't generaly post on forums but I want to say the following:

I have been a resident at Sywell for many years. I have never had a run in with the managment. The faciltys have been transformed over the last few years and I feel a sence of pride when bringing friends to the airfield.

The staff are colorfull characters and I enjoy their company. Mercifully I have whitnessed very few emergancys but the speed to which they respond under such cercumstances gives me a sence of security.

The Airshow and the many other events held through the year are highly prased by many. The Meuseum by the hotel won an award this year which it very much deserved.

I am aware of certain disputes of the past, they are not all one sided (I am conversant with both).

When I pay my rent I feel like I have got my moneysworth.

I'm sure I will get torn to pieces for the above but someone needs to stick up for the place!! Jeff et all, keep it up.

[yakker]

I was'nt degrading Sywell, for that matter nor has anyone else (apart from Bose x's small altercation) we are just asking how MB is going to recoup £3M investment. It could start by increasing your hangar fees TPS1975, and charging you more for landing fees. Jeff has been very quiet on answering this question.

[snapper41]

I have to agree with Arrestahook. The fact that Sywell's surface is grass is what makes me want to use it; it is an historic airfield, and it has atmosphere. I flew in to meet a friend there for lunch recently, and we sat on the balcony of the restaurant watching the Harvard come and go in the sunshine - lovely. That ambience will be lost with a hard runway, and I can't see that installing one will bring in enough to pay for it, even allowing for the non-waterlogged days it will be open. Besides which - what disruption will there be while they are building it?

[flapsin]

Yakker
How about my hangarage increasing by 10.4% on 1 Jan 08 followed by increase of 19.8% wef 1 Jun 08( based on my current charges ex vat) This could be a very expensive runway which many residents don't want.

[Arrestahook]

A 30% increase in 6 months - nice.

I believe when the MBB was was told by some of his staff that the £500 pound deposit to fly one of his aircraft would scare away customers his reponse was: 'If they can't afford it I don't want them flying here anyway'.

Looks like the same is true of being a resident. Another characteristic Bletsoe price hike that if you don't like, you know what you can do!

[S-Works]

And if you complain you get banned for life....... :rolleyes:

[flapsin]

Just to clarify, what I meant to say was 10.4% on 1 Jan, followed by a further 9.4% on 1 Jun 08, making 19.8% over 6 months.
Meanwhile, the hangar doors still need the likes of Geoff Capes to shift them and the roofs still drip some nasty white gunge over your aircraft every time it rains.
Even so I still rate Sywell as one of the better airfields.

[Contacttower]

And if you complain you get banned for life....... :rolleyes:


That is absurd...how insecure are the managment!!?

People should be banned if they repeatedly break rules relating to operation safety...not for complaining about things. :ugh:

[S-Works]

Yep you would have thought so rather than banning people for what is written about them on anonymous forums.......