Wellesbourne Matters ( EGBW)
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Wellesbourne Matters ( EGBW)
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
TenBars
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
TenBars
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Hi
This is worth a listen to about airfield closures
http://www.flapspodcast.com/2014/05/fla ... -may-2014/
This is worth a listen to about airfield closures
http://www.flapspodcast.com/2014/05/fla ... -may-2014/
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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
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
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
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
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Great Write up about Wings and Wheels at Wellesbourne 
Flying at Wellesbourne Airfield - Wings & Wheels | Air Experiences
Flying at Wellesbourne Airfield - Wings & Wheels | Air Experiences
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From yesterday's Stratford Herald
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
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.
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.
FC
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!
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!
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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...
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...
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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.
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.
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Does anyone know the date in the letter?
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?
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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.
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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.
Conversely, one would have thought that using an existing airfield for the purpose, would be an ideal solution to both factions in the argument.
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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.
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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".
I think it was Alice who said "curiouser and curiouser".
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the ideal place for this would be Thorney Island
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!!!
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I do think they should consider building houses on the outskirts of the airfield, that'd be perfect!!!
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.
Last edited by The Ancient Geek; 13th Jan 2016 at 10:33. Reason: I need a spill chucker
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The only issue I really see is that there is very sparse alternative transportation