Wycombe Air Park comes under scrutiny
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Booker Stadium Anyone?
I've been flying, mostly gliders and motor gliders at Booker since 1982. During that time I've seen the airfield becoming more and more commercialised, to the detriment of the gliding Club. There can be no doubt in Captain Awkward's and his team's motives towards the gliding Club at Booker. It was one of the major factors that made me reluctantly decide to move elsewhere.
The airfield had been leased to and managed by AAA, a subsidiary of British Airways. They paid Wycombe District Council a modest rent for the 'head lease' which is reviewable every seven years, and expires in 2014. A couple of years ago, BA sold this lease off to Arora, a hotel company who has built hotels on many of the airports where BA operates. This was presented to the airfield tenants as a 'fait accompli'. I would question whether BA acted in their shareholders best interests in selling this asset off without a public tender process which would have enabled other potentially interested parties to bid. Anyway, what's done is done and we can be sure that Arora will not have taken an interest in Booker for altruistic motives.
The whole debate about the stadium is a smokescreen in my opinion. The real reason that they want to grab Booker is so they can put a load of houses on it as well as possibly some industrial units. That is where the profit is and the stadium is only a pretext to build on the airfield in my view.
They have teamed up with a property developer who is supposedly bearing half the cost of the 'feasibility studies'. The council also say that no decision has yet been made and that no site is being favoured. This is at odds with the developer's (who are the council's partner in this enterprise) publicly stated position that Booker is their preferred site. How can the council now claim to be impartial?
The 'feasibility study' was published on line and made no mention of the gliding club, who account for a larger part of the airfield's activity. It did not take into account all the present activity at Booker so how can this be a valid and objective measure of what happens there? The local press, incidentally ran a straw poll and found opposition to the scheme of around 92%.
Rant over. I would dearly love to see heads roll in high places. The whole thing stinks to the core.
The airfield had been leased to and managed by AAA, a subsidiary of British Airways. They paid Wycombe District Council a modest rent for the 'head lease' which is reviewable every seven years, and expires in 2014. A couple of years ago, BA sold this lease off to Arora, a hotel company who has built hotels on many of the airports where BA operates. This was presented to the airfield tenants as a 'fait accompli'. I would question whether BA acted in their shareholders best interests in selling this asset off without a public tender process which would have enabled other potentially interested parties to bid. Anyway, what's done is done and we can be sure that Arora will not have taken an interest in Booker for altruistic motives.
The whole debate about the stadium is a smokescreen in my opinion. The real reason that they want to grab Booker is so they can put a load of houses on it as well as possibly some industrial units. That is where the profit is and the stadium is only a pretext to build on the airfield in my view.
They have teamed up with a property developer who is supposedly bearing half the cost of the 'feasibility studies'. The council also say that no decision has yet been made and that no site is being favoured. This is at odds with the developer's (who are the council's partner in this enterprise) publicly stated position that Booker is their preferred site. How can the council now claim to be impartial?
The 'feasibility study' was published on line and made no mention of the gliding club, who account for a larger part of the airfield's activity. It did not take into account all the present activity at Booker so how can this be a valid and objective measure of what happens there? The local press, incidentally ran a straw poll and found opposition to the scheme of around 92%.
Rant over. I would dearly love to see heads roll in high places. The whole thing stinks to the core.
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Wycombe Air Park comes under scrutiny
Anybody know what the likely consequences of this are ?
Government steps in over Wycombe Air Park noise row (From Bucks Free Press)
Apart from it being a bizarre example of people moving next to an airfield and then complaining about the noise of the aeroplanes!
Government steps in over Wycombe Air Park noise row (From Bucks Free Press)
Apart from it being a bizarre example of people moving next to an airfield and then complaining about the noise of the aeroplanes!
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cant believe people are complaining about the noise from Booker - firstly the airfield has been there years and secondly its so small the a/c that come in hardly make that much noise....
And secondly - its only open from 9 - 5 or s/s whichever is first (or somthing like that)
If you dont like the noise then move!!!
And secondly - its only open from 9 - 5 or s/s whichever is first (or somthing like that)
If you dont like the noise then move!!!
Aircraft operations at Booker can be SR-SS, but yes, it's been there since WW2, the local noise is fairly minimal, and if they close the place down they can have Wycombe Wasps and all their supporters instead!
I recall some years ago some local NIMBY nearly getting strung up from a lampost after going around with a petition demanding that the noisy Spitfire based there at the time was sent away. The residents of Wycombe were very clear on that point
I wonder what happened to the new government's policy of minimum goverment and decentralisation?
G
I recall some years ago some local NIMBY nearly getting strung up from a lampost after going around with a petition demanding that the noisy Spitfire based there at the time was sent away. The residents of Wycombe were very clear on that point
I wonder what happened to the new government's policy of minimum goverment and decentralisation?
G
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My ex brother in law moved to Frieth and is now a member of this anti WAP group. I saw him at a wedding recently and asked him why he moved to live under the base leg of an active aerodrome if he objects to aircraft noise so much. No sensible answer.
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Runway realignment at Booker
Someone mentions above that Wycombe Air Park could get a longer runway as a consequence of establishing the proposed Stadium. Not a chance. In the proposals released to date, they look at two options for the runway - both likely to be shorter in fact than the current runway (more like 650m rather 735m). The most likely would run alongside the M40 and is going to cost around £1.6m to build. To the west the land rises, preventing practical use for a longer strip.
Quite aside from that, the council would only sanction the bare minimum cost to re-build something they have to move to facilitate their dream. There is no way on this planet they would build a more expensive, longer runway as part of this proposal which is on land that they themselves own.
They will be naturally averse to buying any additional peripheral land to eliminate obstacles - all of which the current owners will be sitting on knowing thay hold such land as a ransom strip should anyone be desperate to aquire it to facilitate this project.
Quite aside from that, the council would only sanction the bare minimum cost to re-build something they have to move to facilitate their dream. There is no way on this planet they would build a more expensive, longer runway as part of this proposal which is on land that they themselves own.
They will be naturally averse to buying any additional peripheral land to eliminate obstacles - all of which the current owners will be sitting on knowing thay hold such land as a ransom strip should anyone be desperate to aquire it to facilitate this project.
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Wycome Air Park - update on impact of stadium development
Anyone got more info on state of play - seems that the prospective developer still has a degree of momentum behind them?
On the runway realignment front - they've got to be kidding with respect to the option of another strip running alongside the M40, nowhere near enough clear ground either side or at either ends - never going to happen there. On the other proposed runway, it's going to be shorter with any runway end safety areas (RESA) that the CAA would insist upon.
Bottom line - there ain't going to be a new runway?
On the runway realignment front - they've got to be kidding with respect to the option of another strip running alongside the M40, nowhere near enough clear ground either side or at either ends - never going to happen there. On the other proposed runway, it's going to be shorter with any runway end safety areas (RESA) that the CAA would insist upon.
Bottom line - there ain't going to be a new runway?
Maverick
Bring back the Dak!
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Bit of a heads-up for non-locals following the WAP shenanigans. Recent local elections saw more than a couple of anti-Stadium councillors come to power, which put the cat amongst the pigeons. Also it looks like, at long last, someone has decided to conduct some due diligence on the wealth or otherwise of Mr H, the main developer. Allegedly he is nowhere near oligarch status, and could indeed be the diametric opposite, which calls into question his motives and exact plans as to where he thinks the funds are coming from, and to what or whose end. (I repeat, Allegedly, Allegedly!)
I think I am more qualified than anyone to say I know every square inch of Booker, having held the keys for it in the 60's for a while, and driven all over it in gliding club winch retrievers. I know every air-raid shelter, bomb dump, fire reservoir and hidden spares dump on the field. Also, I have seen the whole topographical shape of the field change over the decades, especially the way in which the hastily filled-in south-east corner,(from the pink house up to beyond the Garden Centre), is still on the move. It will be interesting if they either try and build on it (as planned), or try and level it off or dig deep into it, knowing what was there and not demolished before all the spoil was brought in!
I do hope that the locals know exactly what it is they are wishing for. Bovingdon and Doncaster aerodromes spring to mind.
I watch with interest from afar, but have a local contact with their ear to the ground. At the moment it's messy with a distinctly unpleasant aroma all-pervading. The way the Local Council have conducted themselves thus far and spent taxpayers money on "feasability studies" just beggars belief.
I think I am more qualified than anyone to say I know every square inch of Booker, having held the keys for it in the 60's for a while, and driven all over it in gliding club winch retrievers. I know every air-raid shelter, bomb dump, fire reservoir and hidden spares dump on the field. Also, I have seen the whole topographical shape of the field change over the decades, especially the way in which the hastily filled-in south-east corner,(from the pink house up to beyond the Garden Centre), is still on the move. It will be interesting if they either try and build on it (as planned), or try and level it off or dig deep into it, knowing what was there and not demolished before all the spoil was brought in!
I do hope that the locals know exactly what it is they are wishing for. Bovingdon and Doncaster aerodromes spring to mind.
I watch with interest from afar, but have a local contact with their ear to the ground. At the moment it's messy with a distinctly unpleasant aroma all-pervading. The way the Local Council have conducted themselves thus far and spent taxpayers money on "feasability studies" just beggars belief.
I do hope that the locals know exactly what it is they are wishing for. Bovingdon and Doncaster aerodromes spring to mind.
Personally (and I've lived in the area for about half the time since 1978) I think that if there really is a need for a Wycombe Stadium, I'd tear down the eyesore that Handy Cross has become and build a modern stadium there with integrated local sports facilities. I can't honestly see anybody objecting to that - it's big enough, already sports space, right by the motorway junction, and I can't imagine that any change could possibly make it any uglier. It would have no significant impact on local roads and communities, nor on anybody's flying, but would bring money into the community.
Maybe we should have a "new stadium at Handy Cross" campaign?
G
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I suspect that the few people that were pushing this were voted out at the last election. One can only speculate as to why they were thinking it was a good idea...............It would seem that the local voters decided that they had little to gain from a stadium and took action.
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I'd agree with Genghis, Handy Cross is as good as wasteland. I can't see any of the current business owners spending any money making it 'nice' again with the new shopping centre being recently completed in the town centre and why does a small town like Wycombe even need two multiplex cinemas?
Bring back the Dak!
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Right, back to the job in hand. Four large artists' impressions have appeared in the local paper recently, all very neat and indexed as to what the various sports facilities will be. They fill the available space admirably, BUT, not one mention nor any obvious plan provision for CAR PARKING! Rumour has it that the runways would be used for weekend match parking. Oh really??!! Whither then the "retained and supported" air operation with it's weekend influx of flyers?
Anyone care to debunk my concerns on that score? Go on,surprise me!
Anyone care to debunk my concerns on that score? Go on,surprise me!
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Four large artists' impressions have appeared in the local paper recently, all very neat and indexed as to what the various sports facilities will be. They fill the available space admirably, BUT, not one mention nor any obvious plan provision for CAR PARKING!
When push comes to shove, the developers contribution to keeping polluting cars away from the area and their major contribution towards the provision of public transport facilities will sway the decision.
For example, if the area was under developed with no airfield there and you wanted to build Wycombe Air Park from scratch with a promise of many jobs being created, there's a far higher chance you'd get approval if you promised to somehow ensure that there was plentiful public transport at key times and minimum facilities for car parking (other than temporary essential access).
That said, it makes perfect sense that the developers behind Wasps should get the decision, the Rugby club and the Football club both pay significantly more in local rates than the airfield does, they also provide far more year round employment than the airfield and always will.
As a real aviation supporter I would be very sad to see Wycombe Air Park go elsewhere, however, business is business and if it closed the key people would move with it, the remaining few who didn't want to move have many options in the local area.
That said, it makes perfect sense that the developers behind Wasps should get the decision, the Rugby club and the Football club both pay significantly more in local rates than the airfield does, they also provide far more year round employment than the airfield and always will.
G
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That said, it makes perfect sense that the developers behind Wasps should get the decision, the Rugby club and the Football club both pay significantly more in local rates than the airfield does, they also provide far more year round employment than the airfield and always will.
The airfield and tenants are responsible for employing around 250 people. So, the clubs do not provide more employment, nor is it year round.
Bring back the Dak!
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Hardly anything in the local Press from the Gliding fraternity or Power or Helicopter people as to the various degrees of "faits accomplis" that the proposed scheme would present them with. Odd that............have they been gagged, paid off, or what? Surely they of all people will be aware of the shortcomings of the artists' impressions?
Surely someone there reads this Site?
Danscowpie, thanks for making your position absolutely clear. I used to drive the No 38 bus that was extended to the RAF married quarters in the 70's. So, if no great number of cars, just where are you going to park the great number of away-supporters' coaches? The (only) roads to Marlow, Lane End and Wycombe are just not suitable for a whole convoy of PSV's, so I would be very interested in the proposed "traffic solutions".
Surely someone there reads this Site?
Danscowpie, thanks for making your position absolutely clear. I used to drive the No 38 bus that was extended to the RAF married quarters in the 70's. So, if no great number of cars, just where are you going to park the great number of away-supporters' coaches? The (only) roads to Marlow, Lane End and Wycombe are just not suitable for a whole convoy of PSV's, so I would be very interested in the proposed "traffic solutions".
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The gliding fraternity have been busy opposing this. Articles appear quite often in the Bucks Free Press .. in fact today's Bucks Free Press website is a good example ..
Bucks Free Press: News, sport, leisure, local information, jobs, homes & cars in Buckinghamshire
GASP is a coalition of those opposed to the development and members of the gliding club are heavily involved in its organisation. Come along to the protest on Saturday if you can! 2pm at the Rye..
Parking will presumably be on the runways ..
Bucks Free Press: News, sport, leisure, local information, jobs, homes & cars in Buckinghamshire
GASP is a coalition of those opposed to the development and members of the gliding club are heavily involved in its organisation. Come along to the protest on Saturday if you can! 2pm at the Rye..
Parking will presumably be on the runways ..
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Wycombe - replacement runways
Let's get back to the nitty-gritty here - has anyone seen detailed explanations of the costs and CAA compliance/viability of the proposed two new runway options? It's all pie-in-the-sky, nobody has done any homework on this, those runways will not be built.
Where in all the plans and proposals is this detailed, where are the numbers? It's not a case of getting a bunch of pikeys in one weekend to throw 1000m of tarmac down - just look at the aggro and timescales it took Sywell to sort their new runway out - drainage and obstacle removal, RESAs and safety strips, lighting and lord knows what else.......it's a BIG job.
Whatever is built (if built) will have a shorter licensed strip - and, in light of the complete absence of any car parking for the 'sports village and stadium', it will indeed be routinely unusable as the aerodrome zone is given over to car parking - hard and grass.
Wake up Wycombe Aerodrome - I can't hear any loud noise from you aviators?! A mere squeak if that.
Where in all the plans and proposals is this detailed, where are the numbers? It's not a case of getting a bunch of pikeys in one weekend to throw 1000m of tarmac down - just look at the aggro and timescales it took Sywell to sort their new runway out - drainage and obstacle removal, RESAs and safety strips, lighting and lord knows what else.......it's a BIG job.
Whatever is built (if built) will have a shorter licensed strip - and, in light of the complete absence of any car parking for the 'sports village and stadium', it will indeed be routinely unusable as the aerodrome zone is given over to car parking - hard and grass.
Wake up Wycombe Aerodrome - I can't hear any loud noise from you aviators?! A mere squeak if that.