Cosford v St Athan
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Cosford v St Athan
Super site or downsized?
It's not every day we talk about the potential of an £18 billion investment in Shropshire, creating more than 2,000 jobs. But as CARL JONES reports, that's exactly what could be on the cards on the county's eastern border.
Think of RAF Cosford and what springs to mind? The aerospace museum, perhaps? The annual airshow? Or how about the air ambulance headquarters? Soon, it could also be best known as the UK’s new “super site” for military training, one of the most important establishments of its kind in Britain.
The location for a new centre, which is currently being considered by defence chiefs, is apparently a straight fight between RAF Cosford and St Athan in South Wales.
One will hit the jackpot and trigger an £18 billion expansion with 2,300 new jobs, while the other could face the prospect of having to make some cuts.
Shropshire’s movers and shakers — who held a glittering “let’s fly Cosford” launch for their bid this morning — are certainly doing everything in their power to make the case as compelling as possible.
At the moment, Cosford is the RAF’s largest training establishment for ground trades. It is the headquarters of the Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering and hosts other MoD activities including technical training; a photography school, and physical training.
The site already employs some 2,000 people — 1,100 military and almost 950 civilians — and sees around 2,200 trainees pass through its gates. But if Cosford gets the nod for the new centre, that could be just the tip of the iceberg.
Consultants GVA Grimley believe the “super site” will bring a further 2,300 new jobs to the area, and lead to the construction of some 350 new homes. More than 150,000 square metres of new buildings will need to be created, increasing the size of the base by 60 per cent.
On top of this would be additional offices and training space, living accommodation, support services, sports and training areas.
In short, the creation of a vibrant new community on the east Shropshire border to rival any other development the county has seen in recent years.
Some concern has been expressed at the potential loss of green belt land if this project goes ahead. But it’s generally felt that the special circumstances — training on this size and scale is required to support the defence of the realm — justify an exception to the rule.
Of course, there is a flip side to all of this. If Cosford does not win the bid and the MoD decides the South Wales option is better suited for their plans, the status quo is not an option for Cosford, and some services could be lost.
The headquarters of the Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering could be moved from Cosford to another site, reducing the current operation by 20 per cent and making its long-term viability uncertain. But that’s for another day.
Today, the talk is optimistic. If Cosford hits the jackpot, all of Britain’s Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering training would be brought into Shropshire from its current four satellite sites, resulting in a 150 per cent expansion of activity.
Cosford currently provides up to 40 per cent of all jobs in the immediate area and generates an additional £24 million each year for the regional economy. But the consultants believe a transformation into a “super site” would pump somewhere in the region of another £60 million a year into the local economy.
“The Aerospace Museum at the site which already has attracted substantial investment could expect to benefit from increased interest in and development of the Cosford site — improvements to the local road and rail infrastructure being among these,” a consultant says.
Two rival consortia have put forward their plans to the MoD. The Portsmouth-based MC3 Training consortium that includes BAE Systems and the Wolverhampton-based construction company Carillion favours Cosford, whilst the MeTRIX consortium that includes Qinetiq and Nordanglia has indicated support for St Athan.
Parish and district councils, including Shifnal, Albrighton and Bridgnorth, are giving the scheme their widespread backing. And Mike Norris, speaking on behalf of the Telford Technology Corridor Partnership, says continued support from individuals, agencies and politicians will be vital in swaying the views of the Government.
“It is difficult to overstate the impact winning the work will have on Cosford, the surrounding area and the wider region,” Mr Norris claims.
Peter Lindsell, head of local plans and regeneration at Bridgnorth District Council, says: “Success in attracting the college to Cosford will bring a considerable boost to the local economy, as well as to that of the wider West Midlands.”
John Edwards, chief executive of Advantage West Midlands, says: “The Ministry of Defence review presents a massive opportunity for RAF Cosford and the wider West Midlands region and it is essential we make the most of it.
“We are in a fortunate position in that we have a range of key partners who are able to work together and show a joint approach to this. Cosford has the links, existing facilities, location and infrastructure to fit the bill, as well as the capacity for expansion.”
So it’s Cosford versus St Athan. England versus Wales. As battle commences, it’s clear that the Shropshire team has plenty of ammunition.
It's not every day we talk about the potential of an £18 billion investment in Shropshire, creating more than 2,000 jobs. But as CARL JONES reports, that's exactly what could be on the cards on the county's eastern border.
Think of RAF Cosford and what springs to mind? The aerospace museum, perhaps? The annual airshow? Or how about the air ambulance headquarters? Soon, it could also be best known as the UK’s new “super site” for military training, one of the most important establishments of its kind in Britain.
The location for a new centre, which is currently being considered by defence chiefs, is apparently a straight fight between RAF Cosford and St Athan in South Wales.
One will hit the jackpot and trigger an £18 billion expansion with 2,300 new jobs, while the other could face the prospect of having to make some cuts.
Shropshire’s movers and shakers — who held a glittering “let’s fly Cosford” launch for their bid this morning — are certainly doing everything in their power to make the case as compelling as possible.
At the moment, Cosford is the RAF’s largest training establishment for ground trades. It is the headquarters of the Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering and hosts other MoD activities including technical training; a photography school, and physical training.
The site already employs some 2,000 people — 1,100 military and almost 950 civilians — and sees around 2,200 trainees pass through its gates. But if Cosford gets the nod for the new centre, that could be just the tip of the iceberg.
Consultants GVA Grimley believe the “super site” will bring a further 2,300 new jobs to the area, and lead to the construction of some 350 new homes. More than 150,000 square metres of new buildings will need to be created, increasing the size of the base by 60 per cent.
On top of this would be additional offices and training space, living accommodation, support services, sports and training areas.
In short, the creation of a vibrant new community on the east Shropshire border to rival any other development the county has seen in recent years.
Some concern has been expressed at the potential loss of green belt land if this project goes ahead. But it’s generally felt that the special circumstances — training on this size and scale is required to support the defence of the realm — justify an exception to the rule.
Of course, there is a flip side to all of this. If Cosford does not win the bid and the MoD decides the South Wales option is better suited for their plans, the status quo is not an option for Cosford, and some services could be lost.
The headquarters of the Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering could be moved from Cosford to another site, reducing the current operation by 20 per cent and making its long-term viability uncertain. But that’s for another day.
Today, the talk is optimistic. If Cosford hits the jackpot, all of Britain’s Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering training would be brought into Shropshire from its current four satellite sites, resulting in a 150 per cent expansion of activity.
Cosford currently provides up to 40 per cent of all jobs in the immediate area and generates an additional £24 million each year for the regional economy. But the consultants believe a transformation into a “super site” would pump somewhere in the region of another £60 million a year into the local economy.
“The Aerospace Museum at the site which already has attracted substantial investment could expect to benefit from increased interest in and development of the Cosford site — improvements to the local road and rail infrastructure being among these,” a consultant says.
Two rival consortia have put forward their plans to the MoD. The Portsmouth-based MC3 Training consortium that includes BAE Systems and the Wolverhampton-based construction company Carillion favours Cosford, whilst the MeTRIX consortium that includes Qinetiq and Nordanglia has indicated support for St Athan.
Parish and district councils, including Shifnal, Albrighton and Bridgnorth, are giving the scheme their widespread backing. And Mike Norris, speaking on behalf of the Telford Technology Corridor Partnership, says continued support from individuals, agencies and politicians will be vital in swaying the views of the Government.
“It is difficult to overstate the impact winning the work will have on Cosford, the surrounding area and the wider region,” Mr Norris claims.
Peter Lindsell, head of local plans and regeneration at Bridgnorth District Council, says: “Success in attracting the college to Cosford will bring a considerable boost to the local economy, as well as to that of the wider West Midlands.”
John Edwards, chief executive of Advantage West Midlands, says: “The Ministry of Defence review presents a massive opportunity for RAF Cosford and the wider West Midlands region and it is essential we make the most of it.
“We are in a fortunate position in that we have a range of key partners who are able to work together and show a joint approach to this. Cosford has the links, existing facilities, location and infrastructure to fit the bill, as well as the capacity for expansion.”
So it’s Cosford versus St Athan. England versus Wales. As battle commences, it’s clear that the Shropshire team has plenty of ammunition.
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St Athan also has the resources of the WDA behind it and there's always the chance that the John Reid brain-trust might be looking to make up for the DARA SNAFU. They can probably get support from the likes of BAMC and GE (or whoever runs the engine servicing in Nantgarw these days). The local colleges are also on hand to provide support.
St Athan is currently in rag order as far as service life is concerned precisely because of the civilianisation of the work there in recent years and the subsequent exodus to RAF Brackla (informal name for a sprawling housing development in Eastern Bridgend.) Obviously the accomodation (messes, blocks and MQs) is an issue for them, but they do have a lot more land to play with than Cosford. As far as station amenities go, there's a chance that the army can also chip in to improve things on camp for the people who live there. As far as the task is concerned, there are a lot of buildings that are being underutilised, especially on West Camp, and there's the entire Picketston site that can be developed.
Of course, I would rather set my hair on fire and crawl naked through a barrel of broken glass than be shipped off to Wolverhampton, but it's pleasing to see that neither candidates are in the arse-end of nowhere. I have to say that I'm surprised that a site in Jockistan hasn't been mooted.
St Athan is currently in rag order as far as service life is concerned precisely because of the civilianisation of the work there in recent years and the subsequent exodus to RAF Brackla (informal name for a sprawling housing development in Eastern Bridgend.) Obviously the accomodation (messes, blocks and MQs) is an issue for them, but they do have a lot more land to play with than Cosford. As far as station amenities go, there's a chance that the army can also chip in to improve things on camp for the people who live there. As far as the task is concerned, there are a lot of buildings that are being underutilised, especially on West Camp, and there's the entire Picketston site that can be developed.
Of course, I would rather set my hair on fire and crawl naked through a barrel of broken glass than be shipped off to Wolverhampton, but it's pleasing to see that neither candidates are in the arse-end of nowhere. I have to say that I'm surprised that a site in Jockistan hasn't been mooted.
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1 Para are moving to St Athan from Dover.
As for Cosford, there's loads of land around it that could be compulsory purchased and it is already home to Aeronautical Engineering, so no expensive RAF Scampton type disaster move.
As for Cosford, there's loads of land around it that could be compulsory purchased and it is already home to Aeronautical Engineering, so no expensive RAF Scampton type disaster move.
Gentleman Aviator
And ... er .. there's about 80 million squids worth of new hangar at Saints that is just a touche under-utilised.......
.... Shame if it became a B&Q.....
... prolly depends on whether Shropshire votes are more attractive than Glamorgan votes....
....cynical?? Moi????
.... Shame if it became a B&Q.....
... prolly depends on whether Shropshire votes are more attractive than Glamorgan votes....
....cynical?? Moi????
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1 Para are moving to St Athan from Dover.
As for Cosford, there's loads of land around it that could be compulsory purchased and it is already home to Aeronautical Engineering, so no expensive RAF Scampton type disaster move.
As for Cosford, there's loads of land around it that could be compulsory purchased and it is already home to Aeronautical Engineering, so no expensive RAF Scampton type disaster move.
I thought that newspaper article said that the surrounding land was green belt?
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Re: Cosford
On the other hand, I caught Wales Today, this evening. Vale of Glamorgan MP, John "I'm as useful as t1ts on a fish" Smith (Lab), was revealed to be incapable of even arranging for the Royal Mail to replace a post box in a village in his constituency. Christ knows how he's going to arrange a successful bid for a major development like this. Everything he touches seems to turn to runny poo.
The dull bugger was on tv grinning like a window-licker of the highest order while moaning about the fact that they hadn't sorted this out- only to be told by the reporter on live TV that they had already contacted the Royal Mail and that one would be installed on Wednesday.
Some concern has been expressed at the potential loss of green belt land if this project goes ahead
The dull bugger was on tv grinning like a window-licker of the highest order while moaning about the fact that they hadn't sorted this out- only to be told by the reporter on live TV that they had already contacted the Royal Mail and that one would be installed on Wednesday.
Hmmm, Bridgend or Wolverhampton, the agony of choice... One's just a --slightly-- bigger rat in my opinion.
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I wouldn't be at all supprised to see St Athan get the nod. I mean this government are doing their best to move as much of the Air Farce out of England at the moment.
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They've been doing a pretty good job of moving it out of Wales in recent years. Brawdy, Brama at Valley DARA at Sealand and St Athan. (I can't recall any station other than St Athan with an Air Commodore as Staish- even if he did double-hat as Air Officer Wales.)
"I can't recall any station other than St Athan with an Air Commodore as Staish- even if he did double-hat as Air Officer Wales."
Erm, I daresay Air Commodore Stinton might have something to say about that, Washington!
http://www.leuchars.raf.mod.uk/stncdr.htm
Erm, I daresay Air Commodore Stinton might have something to say about that, Washington!
http://www.leuchars.raf.mod.uk/stncdr.htm
