Property develper buys BARTON
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Property develper buys BARTON
Peel holdings who own most of the ship canal, the trafford center, and a couple of regional airports, including Finningley.
Have agreed terms with Manchester council to buy the land which the flying club leases, the lease is up for renual next year!!!!
A spokesman said the future of the flying club is safe.
I am sure they intend to use a well situated site as a flying club instead of loads of BIG profit commercial uses..YEH RIGHT
<img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">
Have agreed terms with Manchester council to buy the land which the flying club leases, the lease is up for renual next year!!!!
A spokesman said the future of the flying club is safe.
I am sure they intend to use a well situated site as a flying club instead of loads of BIG profit commercial uses..YEH RIGHT
<img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">
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Thanks PA38, yes the local telly & radio last night broadcast something to this effect - but it's been a thread in the <a href="http://www.flyer" target="_blank">www.flyer</a> forum as well as this one late last year.
The accurate story is that the lease is going to be transferred from Mcr City Council to the Manchester Ship Canal Company - which is majority owned by Peel but with 49% holding by the Mcr Council.
(Methinks there has to be some cronyisms in there somewhere but that is of course just personal, wild & probably totally inaccurate conjecture. No evidence to support THAT at all (tho you should check out the Commonwealth games stadium and Mcr City football club ownership scenario if you want to make your own deductions about cronyisms in Mcr)).
Just to complicate matters however, the airfield is located within Salford Council's empire, so they have the say on land use & development. Therefore, the personal protests, letters etc that have so far been sent have (and should have) gone to Salford Council. Salford, to their credit have so far not given carte blanche to Peel or anyone in terms of what the site will become, though their future plan does not exclude development.
However, you are quite right in worrying about airfield development to the point where commercial considerations destroy the very nature and spirit of what is at Barton.
That's where we must somehow put over to everyone we can the positive aspects of the "little airfield" - i.e. 100+ aircraft and their owners (& members of course, totalling 1000+) being able to operate at reasonably low costs compared to (say) the situation at LPL where owners are being hounded out by high costs & a non-GA-friendly environment.
And please, everyone, if we're gonna carp about committees and stuff could we put that in another thread and concentrate on how we can ensure the survival of this wonderful little field. Yeah, its muddy and rough, but it has real aviation history and is great fun to fly from. It could be YOUR airfield next!!!
Check out Action For Airfields site also - they have the latest on Barton and other threatened airfields. <a href="http://www.airfields.org.uk" target="_blank">www.airfields.org.uk</a>
The accurate story is that the lease is going to be transferred from Mcr City Council to the Manchester Ship Canal Company - which is majority owned by Peel but with 49% holding by the Mcr Council.
(Methinks there has to be some cronyisms in there somewhere but that is of course just personal, wild & probably totally inaccurate conjecture. No evidence to support THAT at all (tho you should check out the Commonwealth games stadium and Mcr City football club ownership scenario if you want to make your own deductions about cronyisms in Mcr)).
Just to complicate matters however, the airfield is located within Salford Council's empire, so they have the say on land use & development. Therefore, the personal protests, letters etc that have so far been sent have (and should have) gone to Salford Council. Salford, to their credit have so far not given carte blanche to Peel or anyone in terms of what the site will become, though their future plan does not exclude development.
However, you are quite right in worrying about airfield development to the point where commercial considerations destroy the very nature and spirit of what is at Barton.
That's where we must somehow put over to everyone we can the positive aspects of the "little airfield" - i.e. 100+ aircraft and their owners (& members of course, totalling 1000+) being able to operate at reasonably low costs compared to (say) the situation at LPL where owners are being hounded out by high costs & a non-GA-friendly environment.
And please, everyone, if we're gonna carp about committees and stuff could we put that in another thread and concentrate on how we can ensure the survival of this wonderful little field. Yeah, its muddy and rough, but it has real aviation history and is great fun to fly from. It could be YOUR airfield next!!!
Check out Action For Airfields site also - they have the latest on Barton and other threatened airfields. <a href="http://www.airfields.org.uk" target="_blank">www.airfields.org.uk</a>
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I was going to start my PPL at Barton, but now I don't feel like paying all that money up front for the course if there is a chance it's going under <img src="frown.gif" border="0"> . Does anyone else have any infromation or heard any official response from the Culb or Council ??
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I wouldnt worry about that - the airfield and club will be here for a fair bit longer than it will take to get your licence <img src="cool.gif" border="0"> Anyway, you dont have to pay great lumps out up front, so start learning there - no waiting for airliners, no heavyhanded bureaucracy, lots of good practice for short field landings, etc etc...
The existing lease doesnt expire just yet - and tenure is probably assured for quite some time I would think. The problem is medium to long term future really.
On a positive note, the local rag (Salford Advertiser) ran a small but supportive article just before Xmas. I held my breath, wondering if the local people would write in saying "good riddance". But in fact two letters SUPPORTING Barton's continuance appeared and I believe these have sparked off the media interest.
Self-interest declaration - Club member since 1975, ex-Committee, now flying PURELY for fun and enjoyment with no political affiliations whatsoever to committee, councils or anything!!!
The existing lease doesnt expire just yet - and tenure is probably assured for quite some time I would think. The problem is medium to long term future really.
On a positive note, the local rag (Salford Advertiser) ran a small but supportive article just before Xmas. I held my breath, wondering if the local people would write in saying "good riddance". But in fact two letters SUPPORTING Barton's continuance appeared and I believe these have sparked off the media interest.
Self-interest declaration - Club member since 1975, ex-Committee, now flying PURELY for fun and enjoyment with no political affiliations whatsoever to committee, councils or anything!!!
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Poet Pilot puts the facts well as I understand them. It's perhaps worth adding, for those who don't know the area, that if Barton goes there will be NO real GA facility in the area.
Manchester is out - very high costs and no chance of being based there. Woodford no longer accepts GA traffic. Liverpool is pricing GA out.
The nearest to the south is Sleap (itself threatened by gravel extraction), and to the north, Blackpool.
I find it quite amazing that this massively-populated area of UK, the Manchester/Liverpool connurbations is virtually unique in having no real business airport at all (Barton doesn't accept twins). And if EGCB does go, there will be absolutely no GA-friendly facilities of any kind for at least 50 miles around.
Makes me wonder for just how much longer we will be able to fly small aeroplanes in this country :~(
SSD
Manchester is out - very high costs and no chance of being based there. Woodford no longer accepts GA traffic. Liverpool is pricing GA out.
The nearest to the south is Sleap (itself threatened by gravel extraction), and to the north, Blackpool.
I find it quite amazing that this massively-populated area of UK, the Manchester/Liverpool connurbations is virtually unique in having no real business airport at all (Barton doesn't accept twins). And if EGCB does go, there will be absolutely no GA-friendly facilities of any kind for at least 50 miles around.
Makes me wonder for just how much longer we will be able to fly small aeroplanes in this country :~(
SSD
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shhusssshhh SSD ! For God's sake dont let anyone know that we FLY the things! They'll us placed in museums along with our old-fangled flying contraption thingies...
By the way everyone, please check out aforesaid Action for Airfields site as Sherlowe strip near the Wrekin, Telford is now under severe threat from NIMBYs. <a href="http://www.airfields.org.uk" target="_blank">www.airfields.org.uk</a>
They need people to write to Telford & Wrekin Council (my spellchecker tells me it should Telford & WRECKING council which is probably more accurate)as a matter of urgency.
By the way everyone, please check out aforesaid Action for Airfields site as Sherlowe strip near the Wrekin, Telford is now under severe threat from NIMBYs. <a href="http://www.airfields.org.uk" target="_blank">www.airfields.org.uk</a>
They need people to write to Telford & Wrekin Council (my spellchecker tells me it should Telford & WRECKING council which is probably more accurate)as a matter of urgency.
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Here's text of the article printed in the Mcr Evening News. My comments on it are:
1. Check above posts for the more real situation & bear in mind the way newspapers report things. There's a lot of newshound speculation in this.
2. I wish the Mcr evg news (or somebody) would do a little investigation on the personalities at the council & Peel who are involved in this (& the aforementioned commonwealth games stadium scenario). Property is changing hands without being put up for sale/tender.
3. Why does every news article about aviators have us "reaching for the sky" ? Well, either that or we're "flying high" ? S'pose it's better than being "high as kites".......
Flyers in battle of Barton
===========================
AVIATORS are ready to reach for the sky in a Battle of Barton, if Manchester's oldest airfield is threatened with closure.
As reported in the Manchester Evening News, Barton Aerodrome, officially opened in 1930, is to be taken over by property giant Peel Holdings.
The company, which also owns the Trafford Centre and Liverpool's John Lennon Airport, is buying it from Manchester city council.
The airfield is home to the 800-strong Lancashire Aero Club, the oldest flying club in Britain, and provides work for about 100.
Today, club members and airfield staff said they feared for the future of Barton, which is used for pleasure and business flights.
For years, the club has been trying unsuccessfully to get a long-term lease with Manchester city council, so that it could get bank loans to develop the site. Its current lease ends next year.
Complaint
Aero club chairman Peter Smith said: ''We have lodged a complaint with the Ombudsman about the way we have been treated by Manchester.''
Peel insists that the takeover is ''a long-term strategic acquisition'' and there are no plans to kick out the club.
But club secretary Paul Kavanagh said: ''We are not standing still on this. We are against Peel taking over, and as far as I am concerned it is not a done deal. I am totally against it.''
Jim Madders, from Wythenshawe, a club member and a part-time air-traffic control officer at Barton, said: ''Peel Holdings do not buy land just to look at it. They will want a big return.''
Another member, Kate Howe, from Warrington, said: ''We are very disappointed that Peel have got it. This year is the club's 80th anniversary and I suspect that Peel will want to redevelop the site.''
John Bell, a member from Wilmslow, said: ''I think we will have to move.
''Manchester city council told us they were committed to the continuation of the flying club, but not necessarily on the current site.''
Despite being sold by Manchester, the site is in Salford whose council would have a big say in any future development.
Malcolm Sykes, director of development services for Salford city council, said: ''The council's position is that the aerodrome use and the openness of the site should be protected.''
Opposite the airport is land earmarked for light industrial development and possibly a new ground for Salford City Reds rugby league club.
Salford city council and Peel, who part own that site, are already in talks about a joint plan to develop it.
Peel also have plans to build a racecourse on land near Botany Bay Wood at Worsley - and one option would be to open a new airfield there for jockeys and owners to fly in.
1. Check above posts for the more real situation & bear in mind the way newspapers report things. There's a lot of newshound speculation in this.
2. I wish the Mcr evg news (or somebody) would do a little investigation on the personalities at the council & Peel who are involved in this (& the aforementioned commonwealth games stadium scenario). Property is changing hands without being put up for sale/tender.
3. Why does every news article about aviators have us "reaching for the sky" ? Well, either that or we're "flying high" ? S'pose it's better than being "high as kites".......
Flyers in battle of Barton
===========================
AVIATORS are ready to reach for the sky in a Battle of Barton, if Manchester's oldest airfield is threatened with closure.
As reported in the Manchester Evening News, Barton Aerodrome, officially opened in 1930, is to be taken over by property giant Peel Holdings.
The company, which also owns the Trafford Centre and Liverpool's John Lennon Airport, is buying it from Manchester city council.
The airfield is home to the 800-strong Lancashire Aero Club, the oldest flying club in Britain, and provides work for about 100.
Today, club members and airfield staff said they feared for the future of Barton, which is used for pleasure and business flights.
For years, the club has been trying unsuccessfully to get a long-term lease with Manchester city council, so that it could get bank loans to develop the site. Its current lease ends next year.
Complaint
Aero club chairman Peter Smith said: ''We have lodged a complaint with the Ombudsman about the way we have been treated by Manchester.''
Peel insists that the takeover is ''a long-term strategic acquisition'' and there are no plans to kick out the club.
But club secretary Paul Kavanagh said: ''We are not standing still on this. We are against Peel taking over, and as far as I am concerned it is not a done deal. I am totally against it.''
Jim Madders, from Wythenshawe, a club member and a part-time air-traffic control officer at Barton, said: ''Peel Holdings do not buy land just to look at it. They will want a big return.''
Another member, Kate Howe, from Warrington, said: ''We are very disappointed that Peel have got it. This year is the club's 80th anniversary and I suspect that Peel will want to redevelop the site.''
John Bell, a member from Wilmslow, said: ''I think we will have to move.
''Manchester city council told us they were committed to the continuation of the flying club, but not necessarily on the current site.''
Despite being sold by Manchester, the site is in Salford whose council would have a big say in any future development.
Malcolm Sykes, director of development services for Salford city council, said: ''The council's position is that the aerodrome use and the openness of the site should be protected.''
Opposite the airport is land earmarked for light industrial development and possibly a new ground for Salford City Reds rugby league club.
Salford city council and Peel, who part own that site, are already in talks about a joint plan to develop it.
Peel also have plans to build a racecourse on land near Botany Bay Wood at Worsley - and one option would be to open a new airfield there for jockeys and owners to fly in.
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This feels very ominous. Even if Peel have a hands-off clause for years to come, those years will pass quickly, and then where'll we be?
Shame.
TW
Shame.
TW
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Whilst on the subject of Fat Cat property developers (sorry, I meant to type 'owners of regional airfields' but my finger slipped!) are there any airfields left in the UK that have a safe and assured future for GA 50 years from now? Not wishing to sound a bit pessimistic here, but it seems to me that in the last 5 years or so, a number of previously safe airfields have fallen into the hands of greedy company's with aspirations to make a million or 2, although not out of aviation. I'm talking about the likes of Redhill, Rochester, North Weald, Ipswich (Gone for housing), Derby-Burnaston (Gone for Car Factory), West Malling (Housing estate) and they are just those i can think of now.. When is El Presidente Blair going to realise that we do actually need pilots, and without GA airfields, they dont exist. I suggest the UK Government needs to take a look at how the French treat aviation....., as well as the railways, the buses, the hospitals, the roads, the.........
Rant Over... <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">
Rant Over... <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">
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SSD - is Sleap still under threat from the gravel people? Wow, I've been flying for ten years and this was mentioned as a possible many, many years before that. I assumed that particular swinging axe had been removed, amazing.
I've only been into Barton once, again, many years ago, but found it one of the most pleasant airfields (in terms of the people) that I've been to.
Intrigued about Peel, they own Liverpool too don't they (and Sheffield). Perhaps there motive is a positive one - in providing competition to MA plc. We live in hope - fingers crossed.
I've only been into Barton once, again, many years ago, but found it one of the most pleasant airfields (in terms of the people) that I've been to.
Intrigued about Peel, they own Liverpool too don't they (and Sheffield). Perhaps there motive is a positive one - in providing competition to MA plc. We live in hope - fingers crossed.
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The motive, if it is aviation-oriented, won't be prioritised around the likes of "fun" GA, you can be sure. Just check out what they've (Peel) done to LPL's hanagarage & landing rates.
The most likely scenario (I'm guessing here folks, pure personal speculation, no fact, I must stress) is that they'll assume management of the site at some point in the future & introduce "healthy commercial competition" - i.e. on paper they'll be giving continuance of aviation but in reality, hangarage and landing fees will soar, they'll take all the profitable bits and reduce the club to tenants eking out an existence as best they can. The stage will then be set to declare aviation at Barton unviable, and land use will get changed.
The tragedy is that the Lancs Aero Club has, many many times in the past, gone to Mcr council and stated that they wanted to buy/develop the field, knowing that they could make far more success of it whilst remaining GA-friendly. The council has repeatedly ignored these approaches and has now, with no consultation, handed Barton on a plate to an outfit who have had no previous connection with the place. The club is currently pursuing this scenario through the Ombudsman - it will be interesting to see what happens.
I wish an investigative journalist or two would get onto this and other land ownership stories in the Mcr area - I have a feeling that cronyism is rife (but then they dont get set a good example from Govt do they?).
It's also very ominous on a general note - i.e. watch out ANY UK AIRFIELD - that proposals for planning processes nationally are being reviewed at Govt level, with the aim of streamlining them - i.e. reducing public debate and input. BBC R4 mentioned this last night. Carte blanche for the accountants & developers to get even more control of our land, our infrastructure and our very culture. They're accepting comments up until March on this.
Rant over. Sorry. I want out!
The most likely scenario (I'm guessing here folks, pure personal speculation, no fact, I must stress) is that they'll assume management of the site at some point in the future & introduce "healthy commercial competition" - i.e. on paper they'll be giving continuance of aviation but in reality, hangarage and landing fees will soar, they'll take all the profitable bits and reduce the club to tenants eking out an existence as best they can. The stage will then be set to declare aviation at Barton unviable, and land use will get changed.
The tragedy is that the Lancs Aero Club has, many many times in the past, gone to Mcr council and stated that they wanted to buy/develop the field, knowing that they could make far more success of it whilst remaining GA-friendly. The council has repeatedly ignored these approaches and has now, with no consultation, handed Barton on a plate to an outfit who have had no previous connection with the place. The club is currently pursuing this scenario through the Ombudsman - it will be interesting to see what happens.
I wish an investigative journalist or two would get onto this and other land ownership stories in the Mcr area - I have a feeling that cronyism is rife (but then they dont get set a good example from Govt do they?).
It's also very ominous on a general note - i.e. watch out ANY UK AIRFIELD - that proposals for planning processes nationally are being reviewed at Govt level, with the aim of streamlining them - i.e. reducing public debate and input. BBC R4 mentioned this last night. Carte blanche for the accountants & developers to get even more control of our land, our infrastructure and our very culture. They're accepting comments up until March on this.
Rant over. Sorry. I want out!
