Wycombe Air Park comes under scrutiny
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I used to have a business that was based around land development and saw how the system worked first hand for years. There is so much money to be made here by so many people and so many 'sweetners' within this sector that I would say this is a done deal.
If I had any kind of business based at the airfield I would be looking for alternative premises. Unfortunately the only people that would support the airfield would be the users and maybe a few locals who realise that a stadium would cause many more problems than the airfield does.
People are obsessed with their house prices and have been brainwashed into thinking that aircraft flying overhead has a negative affect on them, they will vote for the stdium without thinking. The whole process will be dragged out to make it look like some kind of consultation has taken place but this will have been signed and sealed long ago either on a golf course or in a resteraunt somewhere. Anyone that stands in the way may well find themselves out of a job. The people that let it happen will probably be promoted and have a conference suite in the hotel named after them. Its just the way it works im afraid.
If I had any kind of business based at the airfield I would be looking for alternative premises. Unfortunately the only people that would support the airfield would be the users and maybe a few locals who realise that a stadium would cause many more problems than the airfield does.
People are obsessed with their house prices and have been brainwashed into thinking that aircraft flying overhead has a negative affect on them, they will vote for the stdium without thinking. The whole process will be dragged out to make it look like some kind of consultation has taken place but this will have been signed and sealed long ago either on a golf course or in a resteraunt somewhere. Anyone that stands in the way may well find themselves out of a job. The people that let it happen will probably be promoted and have a conference suite in the hotel named after them. Its just the way it works im afraid.
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Locals are already up-in-arms because agents are devaluing due to the proposed development. As for a QC, it's not as straightforward as that; the moaners always were in a minority and the majority will be heard.
Consultation here:
https://payments.wycombe.gov.uk/surveys ... y/wcs1.htm
facebook page here:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=163959270285614
Consultation here:
https://payments.wycombe.gov.uk/surveys ... y/wcs1.htm
facebook page here:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=163959270285614
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The problem at Booker is the big increase in noisey heli traffic and the total incompetence of Captian Orchard to enter into sane talks with the locals.
He has the nickname of Captain Ackward, thats the polite one.
The anti noise lobby, note the leader of one of the local anti noise groups is the CEO of Credit Swiss, has found that, if Booker managment keep hiding behind the law then the only way to get ride of the problem is go for redevelopment.
I don't think they want it closed, but if that is the only way to fix the problem then so be it.
If Ackward had listened and been prepared to reduce and change Heli operations and routing then things may have been different.
Denham has heli traffic use the same routing as fixed wing, to reduce noise, with no training at the weekends, it all goes to Booker.
So the managment at Booker have brought it on themselves.
Routing heli traffic at 700ft max over noise sensitive housing is stupid to say the least.
Bye the way someone has already put a bullet through an R22, I think it was a .303, so if you fly out of Booker, it might be best if you have a flack jacket handy, helicopters are easy to prey and 700ft. Just shows how mad the locals are becoming with the noise of them.
He has the nickname of Captain Ackward, thats the polite one.
The anti noise lobby, note the leader of one of the local anti noise groups is the CEO of Credit Swiss, has found that, if Booker managment keep hiding behind the law then the only way to get ride of the problem is go for redevelopment.
I don't think they want it closed, but if that is the only way to fix the problem then so be it.
If Ackward had listened and been prepared to reduce and change Heli operations and routing then things may have been different.
Denham has heli traffic use the same routing as fixed wing, to reduce noise, with no training at the weekends, it all goes to Booker.
So the managment at Booker have brought it on themselves.
Routing heli traffic at 700ft max over noise sensitive housing is stupid to say the least.
Bye the way someone has already put a bullet through an R22, I think it was a .303, so if you fly out of Booker, it might be best if you have a flack jacket handy, helicopters are easy to prey and 700ft. Just shows how mad the locals are becoming with the noise of them.
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I would think from the councils point of view that a large part of it will be economic.
The return in rent for what the value of the asset must be down in their books as cannot be fantastic from a beancounter's point of view. This is why they are willing to entertain ideas for a stadium.
The return in rent for what the value of the asset must be down in their books as cannot be fantastic from a beancounter's point of view. This is why they are willing to entertain ideas for a stadium.
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I would think from the councils point of view that a large part of it will be economic.
The return in rent for what the value of the asset must be down in their books as cannot be fantastic from a beancounter's point of view. This is why they are willing to entertain ideas for a stadium.
The return in rent for what the value of the asset must be down in their books as cannot be fantastic from a beancounter's point of view. This is why they are willing to entertain ideas for a stadium.
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The problem at Booker is the big increase in noisey heli traffic and the total incompetence of Captian Orchard to enter into sane talks with the locals.
He has the nickname of Captain Ackward, thats the polite one.
The anti noise lobby, note the leader of one of the local anti noise groups is the CEO of Credit Swiss, has found that, if Booker managment keep hiding behind the law then the only way to get ride of the problem is go for redevelopment.
I don't think they want it closed, but if that is the only way to fix the problem then so be it.
If Ackward had listened and been prepared to reduce and change Heli operations and routing then things may have been different.
Denham has heli traffic use the same routing as fixed wing, to reduce noise, with no training at the weekends, it all goes to Booker.
So the managment at Booker have brought it on themselves.
Routing heli traffic at 700ft max over noise sensitive housing is stupid to say the least.
Bye the way someone has already put a bullet through an R22, I think it was a .303, so if you fly out of Booker, it might be best if you have a flack jacket handy, helicopters are easy to prey and 700ft. Just shows how mad the locals are becoming with the noise of them.
He has the nickname of Captain Ackward, thats the polite one.
The anti noise lobby, note the leader of one of the local anti noise groups is the CEO of Credit Swiss, has found that, if Booker managment keep hiding behind the law then the only way to get ride of the problem is go for redevelopment.
I don't think they want it closed, but if that is the only way to fix the problem then so be it.
If Ackward had listened and been prepared to reduce and change Heli operations and routing then things may have been different.
Denham has heli traffic use the same routing as fixed wing, to reduce noise, with no training at the weekends, it all goes to Booker.
So the managment at Booker have brought it on themselves.
Routing heli traffic at 700ft max over noise sensitive housing is stupid to say the least.
Bye the way someone has already put a bullet through an R22, I think it was a .303, so if you fly out of Booker, it might be best if you have a flack jacket handy, helicopters are easy to prey and 700ft. Just shows how mad the locals are becoming with the noise of them.
As the anti airfield campaigners [a minority by the way] at West Malling found out until it was too late, airfields often protect the environment you're in so be careful what yuou wish for.
How long is left on the lease? surely to build a stadium someone, either the council or the airfield would have to bring the lease to an end.
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I think Bovingdon airfield is a pretty relevant cautionary tale; the residents carped constantly and vociferously about the pesky aircraft, so the actual airfield was shut. However, the VOR remains active and an Open Prison was built on the site.
So, they now have a bunch of dangerous crims as neighbours, instead of the pilots, lots of aircraft overhead (because of the BNN beacon) but no one landing and thereby contributing to the local economy.......
I think that the aphorism "be careful what you wish for, as your wish may come true" comes to mind. Given a choice between a multi-use socking great sports stadium and an airfield, I know which I'd choose!
So, they now have a bunch of dangerous crims as neighbours, instead of the pilots, lots of aircraft overhead (because of the BNN beacon) but no one landing and thereby contributing to the local economy.......
I think that the aphorism "be careful what you wish for, as your wish may come true" comes to mind. Given a choice between a multi-use socking great sports stadium and an airfield, I know which I'd choose!
Tabs please !
Wind the clock forward and with no Booker, there's no mandatory circuit pattern. White Waltham is just down the road and those villages who previously enjoyed a rigorous "no overfly" policy suddenly have no protection.
I live under one of the semi-official aerobatic "boxes" to the East of Whitchurch bridge. Would you chaps mind sharing the noise and excitement with the good people of South Bucks when Booker closes.
If anyone from WW wants to take me up in their aircraft in the name of good neighbour relations then I'll film the fun from the back seat
I live under one of the semi-official aerobatic "boxes" to the East of Whitchurch bridge. Would you chaps mind sharing the noise and excitement with the good people of South Bucks when Booker closes.
If anyone from WW wants to take me up in their aircraft in the name of good neighbour relations then I'll film the fun from the back seat
Tabs please !
Yes HF and rather shamelessly too ! When my neighbours comment on the noise, I tell them that the pilot must be as low as 2000 feet when they pull up into the climb and they nod sagely while muttering words of complaint.
BTW, I owe you a DVD sir
BTW, I owe you a DVD sir
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Airfield vs. Entertainment complex - who wins?
Whatever the cost of capital to build the stadium and peripheral facilities, hotels etc. the long term economic benefits thereafter to High Wycombe are exponentially greater than those gained from a continuation of activities as a minor aerodrome. Once established, the whole complex will be a magnet, just outside of London, for events, conferences, concerts, meetings, product launches, you name it, nothing to do with football or rugby whatsoever. The ground rent and business rates paid today are a pin-prick compared to the sums of money the proposed development will generate for the local authority which of course will ultimately reduce the amount of council tax local have to pay to run the region. The percieved benefit is that huge boost to the local economy and the anticipated reduction in aircraft noise versus a little bit more road traffic on match days and when they might have a big pop concert etc. which, by default, will tend not to be midday, mid-week.
The arguments to keep the airfield soley as an airfield are pretty thin from the persepective of a local tax payer. It's the banks, private financiers and developers who will foot the bill, not the neighbours.
You are going to have to fight very hard and dirty to win this one - and there is no evidence whatsoever that the airport management have started that fight with more than a little whimper. They've paid a peppercorn rent for years and now it's time to wake up.
The pro-airfield arguments on employment and economic benefit are going to be hopeless and so you need to find more emotional, legal and political strings to your bow to fight the good cause for aviation.
The arguments to keep the airfield soley as an airfield are pretty thin from the persepective of a local tax payer. It's the banks, private financiers and developers who will foot the bill, not the neighbours.
You are going to have to fight very hard and dirty to win this one - and there is no evidence whatsoever that the airport management have started that fight with more than a little whimper. They've paid a peppercorn rent for years and now it's time to wake up.
The pro-airfield arguments on employment and economic benefit are going to be hopeless and so you need to find more emotional, legal and political strings to your bow to fight the good cause for aviation.
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One might suspect that the airport mansgement is in fact fighting in favour of the development as the current leaseholder (AAA Ltd) is owned by Arora, a hotel development and operation business.
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From The Residents
Hi,
I am a resident living virtually on the airfield. type the location into Google maps and see how close! I am also a fixed wing PPL flying out of the Airfield.
We don't care about the planes and stuff - its residents of Lane End, Frieth and Booker Common that have had the issues. we don't like the helicopter noise but that is mainly to incompetent pilots not respecting flight procedures - (the number of arguments with pilots about the arrogance of claiming Rule5.)
The proposal is to kill flying and build houses, stadium, 3500 car-park, sports centre. its ridiculous! The roads to the airfield are B roads with high accident numbers so its not just the project but everything that goes with it.
My requests to the council under the Freedom of Information Act have been ignored BUT, as residents, and in the airfield covenants there are clauses that stop development that causes nuisance or interference with the natural habitat. then there is this clause about returning to agricultural land.
on another note - a reorientation of the airfield runway will be great. It will move the helicopters to a more remote area and the silly weaving on take off to avoid the odd houses that complain would be a thing of the past.
there is a public protest on Mon 13th at 5.30pm at the Council offices.
I am a resident living virtually on the airfield. type the location into Google maps and see how close! I am also a fixed wing PPL flying out of the Airfield.
We don't care about the planes and stuff - its residents of Lane End, Frieth and Booker Common that have had the issues. we don't like the helicopter noise but that is mainly to incompetent pilots not respecting flight procedures - (the number of arguments with pilots about the arrogance of claiming Rule5.)
The proposal is to kill flying and build houses, stadium, 3500 car-park, sports centre. its ridiculous! The roads to the airfield are B roads with high accident numbers so its not just the project but everything that goes with it.
My requests to the council under the Freedom of Information Act have been ignored BUT, as residents, and in the airfield covenants there are clauses that stop development that causes nuisance or interference with the natural habitat. then there is this clause about returning to agricultural land.
on another note - a reorientation of the airfield runway will be great. It will move the helicopters to a more remote area and the silly weaving on take off to avoid the odd houses that complain would be a thing of the past.
there is a public protest on Mon 13th at 5.30pm at the Council offices.
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Hi,
I am a resident living virtually on the airfield. type the location into Google maps and see how close! I am also a fixed wing PPL flying out of the Airfield.
We don't care about the planes and stuff - its residents of Lane End, Frieth and Booker Common that have had the issues. we don't like the helicopter noise but that is mainly to incompetent pilots not respecting flight procedures - (the number of arguments with pilots about the arrogance of claiming Rule5.)
The proposal is to kill flying and build houses, stadium, 3500 car-park, sports centre. its ridiculous! The roads to the airfield are B roads with high accident numbers so its not just the project but everything that goes with it.
My requests to the council under the Freedom of Information Act have been ignored BUT, as residents, and in the airfield covenants there are clauses that stop development that causes nuisance or interference with the natural habitat. then there is this clause about returning to agricultural land.
on another note - a reorientation of the airfield runway will be great. It will move the helicopters to a more remote area and the silly weaving on take off to avoid the odd houses that complain would be a thing of the past.
there is a public protest on Mon 13th at 5.30pm at the Council offices.
I am a resident living virtually on the airfield. type the location into Google maps and see how close! I am also a fixed wing PPL flying out of the Airfield.
We don't care about the planes and stuff - its residents of Lane End, Frieth and Booker Common that have had the issues. we don't like the helicopter noise but that is mainly to incompetent pilots not respecting flight procedures - (the number of arguments with pilots about the arrogance of claiming Rule5.)
The proposal is to kill flying and build houses, stadium, 3500 car-park, sports centre. its ridiculous! The roads to the airfield are B roads with high accident numbers so its not just the project but everything that goes with it.
My requests to the council under the Freedom of Information Act have been ignored BUT, as residents, and in the airfield covenants there are clauses that stop development that causes nuisance or interference with the natural habitat. then there is this clause about returning to agricultural land.
on another note - a reorientation of the airfield runway will be great. It will move the helicopters to a more remote area and the silly weaving on take off to avoid the odd houses that complain would be a thing of the past.
there is a public protest on Mon 13th at 5.30pm at the Council offices.
The WDC Cabinet will be making an initial decision on how to proceed at their January meeting and there's lots of questions being asked as part of the public session at the Full Council meeting this evening.....at which there is also a protest organised by local ratepayers, footbal fans, parish councils, gliding club, and a whole host of outher groups who'll be adversely affected.
Reading the various documents (Council reports, consultants analysis, internal emails released by other FoI requests, etc) suggests that there's a number of options being investigated by the Council, ranging from expansion of the airfield to incorporate instrument training facilities and Light Jets right through to (at the opposite end of the spectrum) complete closure. One that lookls particularly interesting is to operate the airfield on non-match days (i.e. weekdays) only and to use the runway as a car park at weekends. A grass runway being used as a car park doesn't sound like a very nice option when the ground is soft!
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Booker
This development is going to happen because all the key protagonists get what they want. Hayes (Wasps) gets his stadium. Arora (owner of Booker) gets his hotel. AAA (Air Park managers) get a new runway extended and capable of taking bizjets. Council gets enough development land to meet its quota for new homes for years ahead. Simple really.
Sadness is that AAA are going to kick out gliding to let that happen (and also to free up plenty of movements so they can expand heli and bizjet ops).
Local residents and council taxpayers don't get a say though!
Site development is all about the money, and they're all going to roll in it. Spare a thought for Booker Gliding Club though.
Sadness is that AAA are going to kick out gliding to let that happen (and also to free up plenty of movements so they can expand heli and bizjet ops).
Local residents and council taxpayers don't get a say though!
Site development is all about the money, and they're all going to roll in it. Spare a thought for Booker Gliding Club though.
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"Sadness is that AAA are going to kick out gliding to let that happen (and also to free up plenty of movements so they can expand heli and bizjet ops)."
Are you saying that movements are presently retricted by gliding operations?
I'm not sure that's the case at all - fixed wing powered operate off the hard/grass runways, helicopters operate north (or est if the wind is a northerly) of the runways, and the gliders from the grass to the south. To the best of my knowledge there is no movements restriction by number or in reality by the different types of machinery.
Are you saying that movements are presently retricted by gliding operations?
I'm not sure that's the case at all - fixed wing powered operate off the hard/grass runways, helicopters operate north (or est if the wind is a northerly) of the runways, and the gliders from the grass to the south. To the best of my knowledge there is no movements restriction by number or in reality by the different types of machinery.
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This development is going to happen because all the key protagonists get what they want. Hayes (Wasps) gets his stadium. Arora (owner of Booker) gets his hotel. AAA (Air Park managers) get a new runway extended and capable of taking bizjets. Council gets enough development land to meet its quota for new homes for years ahead. Simple really.
Sadness is that AAA are going to kick out gliding to let that happen (and also to free up plenty of movements so they can expand heli and bizjet ops).
Local residents and council taxpayers don't get a say though!
Site development is all about the money, and they're all going to roll in it. Spare a thought for Booker Gliding Club though.
Sadness is that AAA are going to kick out gliding to let that happen (and also to free up plenty of movements so they can expand heli and bizjet ops).
Local residents and council taxpayers don't get a say though!
Site development is all about the money, and they're all going to roll in it. Spare a thought for Booker Gliding Club though.
Concern is that WDC is going to redevelop the airfield into a massive housing estate/retail park under the guise of "enabling development" to fund a community sports stadium...which won't be for the community (those in the community who have been asked have said they don't want one), isn't about participative sport (but is about spectator activity that can be charged for) and won't be available for public use when London Wasps has a match on.
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You're right.....maths wasn't my strong point! Yes, there's a risk that it will be all "sorted out" as an option being considered by WDC will see WAP revert to an unlicenced grass strip, operating weekdays only (as runway will be used as car park at weekends).