Woodford future?

[Ringway Flyer]

We know that the Nimrod production has now stopped, and that BAe at Woodford is to close. But I did hear that the airfield would be kept open and maintained as an active airfield. Can anyone confirm or repute this? I also believe that the Avro Heritage Centre is to re-locate to the south side.

[niknak]

For someone to buy it and keep it open as an airfield would be a huge investment which would take a long time to recoup.
For someone to buy it as building land, (domestic or industrial) would still be a huge investment but it would provide returns relatively quickly.

About 15 years ago I applied for an airfield management position at Woodford and, as part of the interview I had to give a presentation.
Knowing, even then, that the factory's future was under threat, I enlisted the help of friends who run a large FBO concern and gave a presentation on how the airfield could be opened up to G/A, Corporate and Commercial Jet operations as an alternative to Manchester. This included minimum expenditure for a FBO terminal and use of existing hangerage.
I also got information from friends in ATC and the then ATCC at Manchester to demonstrate that, given silver crossing palms and bottles exchanged at Christmas, it would have possible to incorporate a letter of agreement with the two ATC units to ensure no hiccups for the increased amounts of arriving and departing traffic.
The British Aerospace bods at the interview were absolutely astonished at the thought, they just couldn't contemplate the possibility of the airfield being used by non company aircraft.
I was offered the post, but their neanderthol & luddite attitude put me off and I politely declined.

BAe could easily lease out the airfield and the south side to a FBO who would be able run the airfield on that basis (which, according to my contacts, still is a viable option which would interest them) and, although economic times are tough, they could either lease out the redevelopment of the factory site, or sell it.

Sadly, I don't see it happening, BAe have a myopic approach to business and I suspect the whole site will disappear for a one off, miniscule payment.

[Someone_Else]

Become business orientated? It's interesting, I wonder what MAG would make of this if it became a viable option.

[canard68]

Woodford would make a good carpark for Manchester Intl.

[ZOOKER]

canard68,
you're a tw*t.
niknak,
splendid post. - Gisajob.

[chiglet]

Given the amount of co-ordination for "Any" Woodford Deps with Manch (TWR and APC) for the [for now] occasional Departures, I honestly think that it's a no-no for a G/A airfield
Just my opinion

[bad bear]

If Woodford is closing, the controlled airspace the extends to the surface over Macclesfield should be raised to a minimum of 2,500' ASAP
bb

[Helen49]

Difficult to imagine Bae Systems retaining the airfield for GA. particularly at a time when there is such a general downturn in the economy.

I guess that Niknak has a Farnborough scenario in mind, however there is just not the number of corporate operations in the north west and MAN appears to have it pretty well stitched up.

If it does close, it will be a sad end to an important chapter of British Military and Civil Aviation.

Helen

[Ringway Flyer]

Thanks to you all for your comments. I did hear a rumour that Peel Holdings might be interested. They already own Barton, LPL and others. There was also a comment that it might be used in an emergency if there were serious problems at MAN - but I can't envisage a scenario where it might help. Anyway it'll probably end up as a housing or industrial estate - but I live in hope... Memories of Vulcans still linger!
RF

[Sir George Cayley]

Some snippets from local rumour sources


The Vulcan is due to be dismantled in the near future; it has been 'condemned' by whom I know not.
Many BAe staff are on redundancy notice, some have been seen emptying their tool boxes. Others already transferred to Chadderton.
The production works (northside) reside in Greater Manchester but the runway and flight sheds are situated in Cheshire.
Manchester planners see development of a mixed housing, retail and technology park as A Good Thing.
Macclesfield planners see the green space of the aerodrome as a buffer against creeping urbanisation from Manchester.
The Poynton road bypass (now delayed) was seen as an integral part of developments.
BAe send VCR staff to Warton to maintain competence because of low traffic volumes.


I'm really sorry to see the last few days of this historically important airfield.

Sir George Cayley

[GOLF_BRAVO_ZULU]

Woodford has 2 disadvantages;

a. it's not Warton

b. it's a gold mine as a housing and leasure (non aviation) site

c. the newly moved in "locals" hate aeroplanes and hate noise

Sorry; that's 3 disadvantages. Nobody expects .......

Jobs blow BAE plant 'will shut next year' - Stockport Express (http://menmedia.co.uk/stockportexpress/news/s/1375003_jobs_blow_bae_plant_will_shut_next_year)

MPs step into battle over BAE Woodford jobs - Stockport Express (http://menmedia.co.uk/stockportexpress/news/s/1346211_mps_step_into_battle_over_bae_woodford_jobs)

Chiglet. I know what you mean but as I remember it in '72 it wasn't that bad. Woodford Traffic just meant later otbound turns for CON and inbounds stayed higher for a bit longer. The weekend gliders up to 1000 ft EGCD QFE were no trouble at all. In fact it was no more trouble than SVFR traffic along the railway line.

[chiglet]

GBZ, I agree, but traffic has increased immeasureably [did I spell that correctly?]
Before I retired, I remember long "chats" about co-ordination, like,
Manch on "Westerlies" ..... any Woodford IFR Dep will affect MAN.
Manch on "Easterlies" ...... North and Westbound Deps will affect MAN
e.g. To Prestwick and Warton.
So, as a case for GA, I honestly think that it's a no no.

[Ringway Flyer]

They don't seem to mind us doing circuits there during the week... Or at least it was OK comparitively recently - gives the ATCOs somthing to do! Surely VFR activity wouldn't be any more of a problem than GA routing to MAN via the Woodford lane? Indeed with 7366 up, there might not be any need to talk to MAN anyway...
Living in hope...RF.

[chiglet]

Woodford circuits...up to 1500ft. NOT a problem. Manch just gives a None Standard Departure [NSD] on Easterlies [Straight ahead to 2500ft before turning right] iirc.
It's the IFR [Airways] deps that cause the problems.

[igarratt]

Was watching this post with interest to see any developments but seems to have gone quiet.

Does anyone "in the know" have any avitiaon info on the current state of play with Woodford be it current activity or ATC / GA ?

Though if any manchester atc's are on here and know the egcc side be interested to here the view from over the fence.

Many Thanks for any clues :ok:

Previous followers of this thread might like to see:

Stockport Council - Woodford BAE Systems Site (http://www.stockport.gov.uk/services/business/regeneration/tcandmajordev/woodfordbaesite)


Public attend Woodford presentation on the future of the site.

More than 150 people attended a presentation on the 14th July following the public consultation events undertaken on the future of the Woodford Aerodrome site.
The meeting looked at the findings of public exhibitions held by the landowner BAE Systems in May and June, where local people were asked their views on the future of the site. There were presentations on the conclusions from the design workshops, run by Taylor Young consultants on behalf of Stockport Council and also from CASS Associates on behalf of BAE Systems.
The outcomes from the consultation will contribute to a ‘Supplementary Planning Document’ (SPD) being prepared for the site by Stockport Council. The SPD will set out the principles for development, including type, scale, design and the broad areas of development. Further consultation on the proposed SPD will take place later this year and it will be formally adopted in spring 2012.
During the latter stages of the SPD process the aim is to develop a comprehensive Masterplan for the Woodford site.
Cheshire East Council will consider the outcomes in a ‘Place Shaping’ consultation that is planned to start in July 2011.

and Future Woodford | Woodford Aerodrome - its past, present and future (http://www.futurewoodford.co.uk/) Positively the initial response from the public consultation shows that 51% of local people surveyed would support and like flying to continue on the site. The main winner was greenfields 93% and housing was 77%