Air Parks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 585
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From: London
Whenever an airport comes under threat from developers wanting to build houses on it, I have often wondered why nobody has considered a US style airpark.
Being the sad kind of chap that I am, I would love a house on an airfield that I could taxy a plane up to
Being the sad kind of chap that I am, I would love a house on an airfield that I could taxy a plane up to
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 421
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From: UK
A residential airpark has been seriously considered at least twice in the UK: the first time somewhere in Shropshire (near Telford IIRC) and more recently - in the last decade - at Henstridge.
The Henstridge proposal reportedly went all the way to the relevant Cabinet Minister responsible for planning, who denied the application. That was John Prescott.
The Henstridge proposal reportedly went all the way to the relevant Cabinet Minister responsible for planning, who denied the application. That was John Prescott.
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 896
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From: Strathaven Airfield
Radical Rabbit,
Hope you are wrong.
We are just starting the planning process - at the concept stage - to build a house on top of a hangar at Strathaven Airfield!
Biggest problem is what to do with the space - if it is the same size as our new hangar (9,000sq ft) then we don't know what rooms to fit in it! And carpet at just 10 quid a m2 comes in at the best part of 10k! So cost is another issue.
Rather than an airpark, we are also looking at holiday cottages aimed at encouraging pilots and their families to holiday in Scotland.
Very early stages, but will keep folk informed,
XA
Hope you are wrong.
We are just starting the planning process - at the concept stage - to build a house on top of a hangar at Strathaven Airfield!
Biggest problem is what to do with the space - if it is the same size as our new hangar (9,000sq ft) then we don't know what rooms to fit in it! And carpet at just 10 quid a m2 comes in at the best part of 10k! So cost is another issue.
Rather than an airpark, we are also looking at holiday cottages aimed at encouraging pilots and their families to holiday in Scotland.
Very early stages, but will keep folk informed,
XA
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 396
Likes: 0
From: Warwick
Radical Rabbit,
I wouldn't worry about the HSE, at least you can challenge them with a bit of logic... it's the environmentalists that would scupper it - you're legally / morally not allowed to argue with a word they say you know!
"Why do you need a house with a runway... what folly... you could catch a bus instead." etc.
HC.
I wouldn't worry about the HSE, at least you can challenge them with a bit of logic... it's the environmentalists that would scupper it - you're legally / morally not allowed to argue with a word they say you know!
"Why do you need a house with a runway... what folly... you could catch a bus instead." etc.
HC.
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 560
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From: ...back of the drag curve
I always thought that Shoreham would make a nice airpark. As soon as the current owners have made a total hash of it and attempt to sell it on, one could get round the current planning conditions by keeping the runway, but also fill the grass bits with 1000s of houses & personal hangars. That way, the new owners could charge pilot's to use the runway, as well as the local council charging residents council tax for the houses. South Coast, great location.Brilliant!!
But because of the ridiculous planning laws in the UK, there's about as much chance of seeing a succesful airpark here as seeing a Lib Dem government in power
I realise the USA is a whole lot bigger than the UK, but Airparks are a way of life, and there doesn't appear to be much opposition to them. Just mention the word aeroplane here, and the local huggies thinks there's a major international airport being built.
But because of the ridiculous planning laws in the UK, there's about as much chance of seeing a succesful airpark here as seeing a Lib Dem government in power
I realise the USA is a whole lot bigger than the UK, but Airparks are a way of life, and there doesn't appear to be much opposition to them. Just mention the word aeroplane here, and the local huggies thinks there's a major international airport being built.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12
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From: Shoreham-by-Sea
Shoreham as the first Airpark
<P>What a great idea, the council down here are jumping at the chance to get more housing built as soon as possible. Only problem is they would agree to the scheme and then conveniently forget about the runway on account that it gets in the way of more houses!
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 560
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From: ...back of the drag curve
BookyWooky,
As I said, I'm led to believe that Shoreham has some form of Planning Permission with Conditions which says it has to be an airport/airfield. Otherwise, I'm sure it would have been a housing estate years ago.
Would make a great airpark I think, maybe the Erinaceous Group might be able to make money out of that?
As I said, I'm led to believe that Shoreham has some form of Planning Permission with Conditions which says it has to be an airport/airfield. Otherwise, I'm sure it would have been a housing estate years ago.
Would make a great airpark I think, maybe the Erinaceous Group might be able to make money out of that?
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 518
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From: England
AA if, the Martin Bakers sold up, which I doubt, they would.
The chances of an airport / airpark would be nil, as the very local village would complain about the noise, before it had a chance to start and with the gov's recent housing policy, it would become a vast housing estate in less than a year, great shame
The chances of an airport / airpark would be nil, as the very local village would complain about the noise, before it had a chance to start and with the gov's recent housing policy, it would become a vast housing estate in less than a year, great shame
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 700
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From: 5 nM S of TNT, UK
Bratton was the place near Telford where the first proposed development foundered.
The problem is that the housing density on a fully developed ex airfield site is so many times higher than that which could be achieved on an airpark that the economics simply don't stack up. As we don't have large areas of spare land, the only way an airpark could be viable is to put it in a part of the country where there is no huge pressure to build low cost housing.
Bentwaters?
West Raynham?
Sculthorpe?
Oban if I dare mention it?
Aberporth?
Macrihanish?
The problem is that the housing density on a fully developed ex airfield site is so many times higher than that which could be achieved on an airpark that the economics simply don't stack up. As we don't have large areas of spare land, the only way an airpark could be viable is to put it in a part of the country where there is no huge pressure to build low cost housing.
Bentwaters?
West Raynham?
Sculthorpe?
Oban if I dare mention it?
Aberporth?
Macrihanish?
niknak
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,335
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From: UK
Bentwaters - already an industrial estate of some magnitude, with no possibility of planning for housing or future avaition use ever being granted.
West Raynham - detailed plans already exist for housing to be developed there.
Sculthorpe - remains in the hands of the MOD and is in regular use by the military for para drops and airborne assault/special forces training.
Oban - an established community airport with no infrastucture for silly ideas such as an airpark.
Aberporth - for goodness sake, do some research as what is already there!
Macrihanish - already in use as a community airport, otherwise it is still owned by the MOD who lease it out and still use it several times a year for military exercises.
West Raynham - detailed plans already exist for housing to be developed there.
Sculthorpe - remains in the hands of the MOD and is in regular use by the military for para drops and airborne assault/special forces training.
Oban - an established community airport with no infrastucture for silly ideas such as an airpark.
Aberporth - for goodness sake, do some research as what is already there!
Macrihanish - already in use as a community airport, otherwise it is still owned by the MOD who lease it out and still use it several times a year for military exercises.
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 263
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From: Not around here
Air Parks
I was reading the in 'Today's Pilot' about one of the air parks in Florida and wondered what people's experience was. ie I was idly thinking, whow that would be great, should I save my pennies and retire to the US or is the reality a bit different? What about serving of the aircraft etc.
Anyway, has anyone got any real life experience?
Cheers,
C23
PS - are there any/many air parks in Europe and are they any good?
Anyway, has anyone got any real life experience?
Cheers,
C23
PS - are there any/many air parks in Europe and are they any good?
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 565
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From: in the mist
I believe there are plans to start up an airpark or two in europe, sadly not in the uk though. Would be nice to nip out for the morning rag and a pint of milk in a Extra 300 or Cub maybe if one is concerned about spilling ones juice.
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,547
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From: Dublin
I imagine that they would be nice for a holiday home. Not so sure I'd like to live on an airfield though.
Sunday morning lie-ins would be a thing of the past!
Do you really want to go flying every day? Would you still want to go flying everyday after a year or two of doing so, or would it just become old hat?
dp
Sunday morning lie-ins would be a thing of the past!
Do you really want to go flying every day? Would you still want to go flying everyday after a year or two of doing so, or would it just become old hat?
dp
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Gods Chosen Country
Airparks
I rented from an FBO based on an Airpark south of Phoenix. I was warned not to taxi on side of the airfield closest to the residents as they were noise sensitive individuals. Crazy eh !
I have visited others where signs warn you that aircraft have right of way whilst taxying on the same road as vehicles entering the airpark. The houses were nicely spaced and the garages open at both sides so that you could simply taxi in and out with a car parked under each wing for efficiency. Great.
But the best type of fly home situation is a house on the lake. Minimal cross wind problems and you can always fish for your tea on the taxi in.
I have visited others where signs warn you that aircraft have right of way whilst taxying on the same road as vehicles entering the airpark. The houses were nicely spaced and the garages open at both sides so that you could simply taxi in and out with a car parked under each wing for efficiency. Great.
But the best type of fly home situation is a house on the lake. Minimal cross wind problems and you can always fish for your tea on the taxi in.
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: EuroGA.org
Lots in the USA.
Some in France.
I don't know about any running ones in Spain but a highly publicised and marketed project has been in the making for some years, near Murcia. Do a google for "air park spain" etc and you will find it. They originally planned to build 700 houses; drastically scaled down since and the runway is now finished. In an unattractive part of Spain though.
Some in France.
I don't know about any running ones in Spain but a highly publicised and marketed project has been in the making for some years, near Murcia. Do a google for "air park spain" etc and you will find it. They originally planned to build 700 houses; drastically scaled down since and the runway is now finished. In an unattractive part of Spain though.