Wellesbourne Matters ( EGBW)

[Billredshoes]

Wellesbourne Matters
First on behave of everyone at Wellesbourne we would like to THANK YOU, for your support
here on the forum and elsewhere.

I am one of the founding committee members of Wellesbourne Matters, and would like to now turn all your offers of help into something we are very very short of Money!
We are asking you ALL of you, plus your family friends to join the Wellesbourne Matters Association.
Ideally to donate only ½ an hour off you’re flying rate but any help you can do will be greatly received.

We are also calling ALL the people who signed the online petition to join as well.
Below is a copy of the Wellesbourne Matters Web Site to explain further about
why we have taken this action.

Wellesbourne Airfield is under the threat of being closed to make way for a very large housing development.
You can help to prevent that from happening.
Stratford on Avon District Council has received a proposal from Gladman Developments to build 1,600 houses on the airfield.
This proposal was submitted with the intention of being included in Stratford’s Core Strategy the final form of which is due to be published very shortly.
Although the Council has not voted to include the development as one of its preferred options, it is highly likely that the developers will still seek planning permission for the airfield site once the Core Strategy document has been published.

In order to maintain Wellesbourne as an active airfield and market with the significant benefits it brings to the village and district, your help is urgently needed.
You can help us by joining the Wellesbourne Matters Association and adding your name to the significant number of people who wish to retain the current activities on the airfield.
An Association carries far greater weight with the Council and the Planning Inspectorate than would come from simply signing a petition.
The minimum joining fee is only 50p, but any additional contribution you can make will help to fund the work of the Wellesbourne Matters Association

Wellesbourne Matters | Wellesbourne Airfield Is Under Threat Of 1,600 Homes (http://www.wellesbournematters.org.uk)

TenBars

[thing]

Of down there on Wednesday if the weather is half decent. Caff is supposed to be good isn't it?

[Billredshoes]

Yep it sure is :ok:

[Billredshoes]

Hi

This is worth a listen to about airfield closures

http://www.flapspodcast.com/2014/05/fla ... -may-2014/ (http://www.flapspodcast.com/2014/05/flaps-podcast-may-2014/)

[Billredshoes]

Wellesbourne Matters

Update June 2014


Contrary to some of the statements that have been made in this forum there still remains a clear and present danger of Wellesbourne Airfield being closed to make way for a housing development.
The situation as it stands is that Stratford District Council have stated that Wellesbourne is not one of the sites recommended for housing development and that they would like to retain flying activities at the Airfield. Although this is their preferred position they have NOT removed the proposal from the Core Strategy and the housing development at Wellesbourne remains on the list of possible sites.

To further add to the problem the Chancellor recently announced that measures would be proposed that would make it easier to build developments on brownfield sites.
As all airfields are classed as brownfield sites this may have a profound effect not only on the future of Wellesbourne, but on your local airfield as well.

Remember that the problem with the development has not been “kicked in to touch” or “put off until 2031”, but is still very much alive and kicking.
If Wellesbourne falls then every other airfield in the country becomes at greater risk of being sold off for development.

Those of you that have joined the Wellesbourne Matters Association to help counter these development proposals have already been given a greater chance of your voice being heard,
but we still need more and more voices to join in the throng. If you have not already done so you can help a great deal by joining the Association at
Wellesbourne Matters | Wellesbourne Airfield Is Under Threat Of 1,600 Homes (http://www.wellesbournematters.org.uk)

You can also help the Association by emailing a ‘selfie’ of you sat in your aeroplane and telling us why “Wellesbourne matters to me because…….”. Send it to the Association at [email protected] along with your name, aircraft type and if you trained at Wellesbourne.

Regards

Wellesbourne Matters

[Billredshoes]

Great Write up about Wings and Wheels at Wellesbourne :ok::ok::ok:

Flying at Wellesbourne Airfield - Wings & Wheels | Air Experiences (http://www.airexperiences.co.uk/airshows/wellesbourne-wings-wheels-2014/)

[Fried_Chicken]

From yesterday's Stratford Herald

PLANS to build hundreds of homes on Wellesbourne Airfield appear to be set to take off with businesses being served this week with what are effectively eviction notices.

A letter has been sent out by solicitors acting on behalf of the Littler family, which owns the former RAF airfield, confirming the date for which they plan to cease all flying activities.

Sad news and there aren't a lot of options locally for aircraft to relocate to (Coventry, Enstone, Shennington and the strip at Shotteswell spring to mind)

FC

[BEagle]

Having been sent packing by the appeal inspector who upheld the decision not to permit development at Tysoe, despite the fact that Stratford-Upon-Avon District Council could not demonstrate that it had an acceptable 5-year housing plan, perhaps this is another Gladman tactic?

In other words, to convince the solicitors and the landowners that, since the nearby Tysoe plan was thrown out, there's more chance of their Wellesbourne West plan succeeding?

The Gladman tactics seem to be:

1. Find an area which doesn't yet have a Local Plan which meets the government's 5-year housing supply requirements.

2. Identify a 'brownfield' site within the area.

3. Approach the landowner with a 'no-win, no-fee' proposal to submit an outline planning application. If the application is rejected, the landowner isn't out of pocket, but if it's accepted, then when the landowner sells the land to a developer, Gladman trousers a percentage.

They put in a plan for 270 houses near a gas bottling plant on the outskirts of Witney, running down to the flood risk area of the River Windrush. The district council rejected it. So Gladman resubmitted an amended plan for 260 houses. That was also rejected. So Gladman then went to appeal, which is currently underway. Yet again their main point is that the Local Plan doesn't meet the government's housing supply requirements, so the development should be allowed. But it's not for Gladman to tell the district council where to identify additional housing areas, that's the council's task!

[alex90]

It doesn't make much sense to me... I feel that airports / airfields are important for any local community.

It brings in jobs for the local community, from maintenance (both airfield, aeroplanes, etc...), to airport staff (ATC, firefighters, reception, refuelers...), to flying school employees, to the local cafe / restaurant. Often this also brings in tourism from elsewhere, which can help shops, BnBs, Hotels... etc... All of which are very much for the long-term aspect of the local community.

Housing development generates a large number of jobs, but only for the very short term (time to build it - then they bugger off), often hiring people from anywhere in the world, not necessarily helping the local community. Then adding a large complex of very expensive housing, most of which not lived in more than a week a year (as they live in their primary residence in London)... (it is a business after all isn't it!)

Long term local community aspects seem to suffer quite a bit in my mind. Not sure why councils don't clock on to this, or maybe they just don't care...

[Local Variation]

The source of the problem is the new build housing targets being set, which appear to not being met. I know that is the case where I live. People have even taken to living in skips.

We better get used to this. A great airfield and one I will miss visiting. I bet they'll get a pretty penny for the land given it's location to Stratford and more importantly Gaydon.

[Curlytips]

I can see the front page of the Stratford Herald online, but it's unreadable when expanded. It teases by saying "sooner than you might think". Can anyone tell me what the Littler's letter says?

[octavian]

I have read, on another forum, that the end date is 24 December 2016.

[foxmoth]

How about trying to work with the developers rather than fight them, by this I mean a proposal that they retain the runway and clubhouse and build houses with hangars and access to the airfield then put other houses behind. Put over in the right way you should get the council on side as the houses with runway access would bring in people with money, some of whom would invest in the area, the developers would also be able to sell the houses at a premium so a good proposal for them.

[flybymike]

An air park would certainly be a notable first for the UK, but alas I recall there have been various failed earlier attempts.
Conversely, one would have thought that using an existing airfield for the purpose, would be an ideal solution to both factions in the argument.

[foxmoth]

I think previous attempts at an air park have gone about it the wrong way round, trying to do it with a new airfield. Starting from an existing airfield that is already up and running should be easier. Of course the ideal place for this would be Thorney Island, not only could you have the Air Park but golf course and somewhere to put the Yatch, IMHO it would bring in a substantial level of investment on many levels, just needs a council with the balls to see that.

[octavian]

Going back to the prospect of closure, again from another forum, the Vulcan group at Wellesbourne have announced that they haven't received an eviction notice and have commented that the local council are keen to see the airfield continue and develop for aviation activities, which would suggest planning permission for housing may be unlikely

I think it was Alice who said "curiouser and curiouser".

[VictorGolf]

Not sure but I think I read somewhere that the family who own the airfield also allegedly have an interest in the Vulcan, hence the lack of an eviction notice.

[alex90]

the ideal place for this would be Thorney Island I have often thought that! It is a lovely part of the world...

The only issue I really see is that there is very sparse alternative transportation methods from the airfield. Also - if people do base their planes there, the only transportation there is by car, and that takes over 2 hours... Much longer in traffic (I know - I used to drive regularly to Hayling Island, just down the road).

Good news if the airfield is there to stay!! I do think they should consider building houses on the outskirts of the airfield, that'd be perfect!!!

[The Ancient Geek]

I do think they should consider building houses on the outskirts of the airfield, that'd be perfect!!! Bad move. airfield operations seldom make a significant profit, rather use any non-essential land to generate a long term income which can contribute to the long term viability of the airfield.
Rental properties, sheep, solar panels, cabbages, whatever gives a good return but NEVER sell off bits of land. When its gone its gone and the one off income is soon spent.

[foxmoth]

The only issue I really see is that there is very sparse alternative transportation

If you mean at Thorney, there is the railway station at Southbourne and Emsworth and not hard to get onto the M27, not sure what Wellesbourne is like for that, but either way a big housing development will not help, a smaller more exclusive one makes it easier.

[flybymike]

Bad move. airfield operations seldom make a significant profit, rather use any non-essential land to generate a long term income which can contribute to the long term viability of the airfield.
Rental properties, sheep, solar panels, cabbages, whatever gives a good return but NEVER sell off bits of land. When its gone its gone and the one off income is soon spent.
One would have thought it might have been possible to build exclusive residential properties, possibly with their own hangarage, to individuals who specifically want to live adjacent to their own airfield, and who would be willing to enter into a contractual obligation for maintenance of the field as a condition of the purchase.
I know I would.

[Pull what]

It might be better to concentrate on where everybody is going to relocate to rather than pie in tbe sky schemes for exclusive housing

[Whopity]

It was suggested that recent planning applications in Wellesbourne village adjacent to the airfield were opposed by aviators resulting in the developer making an offer for the airfield that the owners could not refuse.

[flybymike]

It might be better to concentrate on where everybody is going to relocate to rather than pie in tbe sky schemes for exclusive housing
Indeed.
More and more airfield occupants relocated into fewer and fewer airfields, until eventually everyone is located nowhere.

[foxmoth]

It might be better to concentrate on where everybody is going to relocate to rather than pie in tbe sky schemes for exclusive housing

I would say there is not a lot the rest of us can to about this, I am sure those individuals who need to relocate will know where is best for them and much of that will depend on where they actually live in relation to the alternative airfields available, to many this will be very inconvenient and I would say it is actually better if we can come up with schemes, "pie in the sky" or not, that might mean the do not HAVE to relocate!:sad:

[Nige321]

Halfpenny Green/Wolverhampton may be next - Sold last November to a Manchester Property developer... :uhoh:

[sharpend]

And is Kemble still under threat? I think Mr Prescott has much to answer for. All this is not good for aviators, not good for local business and no good for the country as a whole.

[Whopity]

For many, relocation is not an option it will simply mean more give up. Perusing CAA statistics it is interesting comparing licence issues now and 20 years ago. The last page of CAA licence transactions shows just 1156 new licence issues compared to 4491 in 1993/4 a reduction of 74%!

[fireflybob]

Add Nottingham (EGBN) to the list of threatened airfields - plan to build 4,000 houses. Latest guesses range between 2 and 10 years left.

This rape and pillage of our general aviation airfields is a national scandal.

How much extra congestion will this cause at other sites with ramifications for flight safety and noise issues? Why is this aspect not included in planning applications?

[robin]

The problem is that planning authorities tend to make judgement on each application separately and there is little or no overarching strategy.

When considering Wellesbourne, for example, why would the LA concern itself with Kemble or Wolverhampton? They' be more concerned with the legal costs in opposing development with the risk that the SoS will overturn any decision.

What we need is a government overarching strategy on airfields to safeguard them as national assets. Instead we have had governments who see airfields as quick and easy options for housing and who don't care about local and regional airfields.

We are low down on their scale of important issues, but oh for a minister who understands the need for strategic infrastructure and is prepared to do something about it

[flybymike]

I assume GAAC are still fighting our corner as best they can on these issues. Perhaps the CAA should be more pro active too, or they will find themselves with no one left to regulate.

GAAC Home (http://www.gaac.org.uk/)

[Sir George Cayley]

Nige, is the name of the property developer in the public domain? Knowing who it is might give a clue to his MO.

SGC

[Nige321]

Sir George

MCR Properties (http://www.mcrproperty.com/home)

MCR Property Group is an investment and development company focused on commercial and residential real estate. Established in 1989, the company model has recently moved from retaining assets in the long-term, to trading assets centred specifically on securing value add opportunities across the UK.

The story I'm hearing is that housing is planned...:ugh:

[Sir George Cayley]

Thanks Nige, though I'm none the wiser.

Looking at their current properties and projects the West Midlands looks a bit out of their territory. Also, they all look a bit mundane and £800k for land in Runcorn is having a larf. I'd expect to buy Runcorn for that sort of money:eek:

Seems a bit rum to me.

SGC

[Nige321]

Sir George

It's hitting the local press in the next couple of days, they've been talking to all the players, and doing some digging...

I can't see a company like this buying a sleepy airfield like HG without having a plan in place to substantially increase the site's value, flog it on and pocket the profit...

Simply money grabbing :mad: with no thought to the local history, and local residents.

There WILL be a fight...

I'll keep an eye out and post here of anything interesting comes up...