Gatwick collection may be scrapped - Council decides
 

As some of you may know GAM is in the process of attempting once again to be granted planning permission to construct a purpose built new Museum building to house it's aircraft. We are now very close to making that application.

Here is a quote from the draft letter which will accompany the application.

"This innovative design enables preservation of not only our significant collection of heritage status historic aircraft but positively contributing to all aspects of green belt. Its location directly alongside the operational activity of Gatwick confirms its true “sense of place” enabling people to visit and enjoy the countries heritage, the visual link to the modern aircraft of Gatwick and the integral openness of the green belt."

We have been asking if members of the public, historic and general aviation community would be good enough to offer their support by letter or email. Many have responded but we are now very close to the actual application being presented. Therefore I would like to appeal to anyone who can give us a couple of minutes of their time to send an email to Peter Vallance at [email protected] in support. Thank you, we appreciate the support given to us so far.

Peter Mills
for Gatwick Aviation Museum
Gatwick Aviation Museum - Charlwood

Done. :ok:

Done, I hope the application succeeds.:ok:

Peter's Collection
 

Gatwick collection may be scrapped - Council decides
 

To update anyone who has an interest in this subject, the decision was deferred on the 9th of June to enable a site visit by councillors. This duly took place and the new date for consideration is next week on the 6th of July. In advance of the first meeting (9/6/2011) the planning officer recommended refusal. Since then, what can only be described as a "hate campaign" has been launched by the local NIMBY groupies. If it wasn't so serious it would be hilarious. The quality and content of the objection letters is just so bad, as well as being so inaccurate. We live in hope....

It's altogether possible that if the application fails the enforcement order will be carried out. This will almost certainly result in the majority of the airframes being destroyed, certainly the larger ones. A sad end to many old warriors, for many years they kept the councillors safe, you'd think they would have the good grace to reciprocate!

Anyway, if you want to help, or read some really crass letters (follow the links) please visit the web site where we are at least trying to keep a sense of perspective.

Just one more request; anyone got a engine lifting beam for a Gyron Junior?
Tried the FAA museum, didn't get a reply, shame they seemed the best bet.
Thanks

pm575
Gatwick Aviation Museum - Charlwood

Email sent to the planners. Suggest others do likewise; sheer volume may have its effect.

Crikey Peter, I can't believe this battle has been going on for over 20 years. I remember PV having to compare the aircraft with caravans in that they weren't permanent fixtures that needed planning permission, but were all on wheels and could be moved around. The situation was farcical and I just can't believe that planning permission is still outstanding after all the good the collection has done, the school education visits, not to mention saving part of our aviation heritage. What harm has the collection ever done to the locals? It is tucked away behind the trees and they can't complain about the noise when the Shackleton's engines are run, as they are probably drowned out by LGW's airliners taking off! Unbelieveable to read this is still on-going. I thought they had given in years ago?:uhoh:

Supporting email sent to Mole Valley - Good Luck!

Gatwick collection may be scrapped - Council decides
 

I would like to say a big thank you to those of you who have taken the trouble to look at the web pages and information regarding our efforts to produce an enhanced facility for the Southern counties. We are especially grateful to those that have send email/letters of support to Mole Valley. If you haven't done so please take a couple of minutes to review the situation and let Mole Valley be told in no uncertain terms that support is strong for this fanatastic opportunity to save a great part of our aviation heritage

It incomprehensible that in todays tough fiscal climate anyone would reject the investment of 8-10 million pounds of PRIVATE money into what is effectively a public facility. Replacing eight old, dirty, dilapidated chicken sheds with a new, ecologically sound museum building. A new woodland etc etc. I won't go on.

Thank you from the engineering team, we will continue to care for the airframes for as long as they exist!

Peter Mills
Gatwick Aviation Museum Engineering
Gatwick Aviation Museum - Planning application information

Mods, any chance of this being a "sticky" until the end of the week? It's too important to slip by through default.

Museums application is refused 12 to 7
 

As the title says the planning application was refused by 12 to 7.

We can say that the councillors who supported and spoke in favour should be praised for their courage in the face of the abuse and disrespect shown by the refusal lobby.

For now there will be a period of time to assess the situation.
The immediate action will probably be an appeal.

However there are other possible actions, these have to be considered in the light of the decision. No more comment will be made about other actions until there are definite decisions.

A disapointing result but not totally unexpected.

pm575

Peter, this makes me so sad, what PV started at VBs was wonderful.
:mad: jobsworths

Good luck with this guys, quite unbelievable on the part of the local authority.

J

Gatwick Aviation Museum-Charlwood
 

It is still possible to support the appeal by the Museum against the local council refusal. Letters should be lodged with the council by the 29th February. See the museum's web site if you wish to support our aviation heritage.
www.gatwick-aviation-museum.co.uk
:)

Supporting letter sent

Peter Vallance R.I.P
 

Peter passed away yesterday (15 Jan 2013) in hospital. He had recently had a problem with one of his heart valves. He was advised that an operation in his condition would be high risk, sadly this proved to be the case.

Another loss to the aviation community. R.I.P.

RIP, Peter, it was an honour to have met you.

I'm very sad to have heard that. I'm quite local to Peter's place at Charlwood and visited there on many occasions with my eldest when he was interested in flying machines. Mole Valley really are the pits over this. I wonder if they may be having pressure put on them by Charlwood residents - perhaps some council members live there - being worried about their quiet little village being swamped by visitor's cars.

Ditto. Really touched that he opened up a couple of years ago just for me & another chap who came along with his with his grandson. He showed us around everything, including the inside of one of the Shackletons.

I hope the collection survives.

Tim.