From: anita kane
Sent: 24 October 2011 10:03
To: Planning LDF
Subject: Filton Airfield
To who it may concern,
I am writing with reference to the proposed closure of Filton Airfield and possible change of its land use to housing and business park.
In short, I do not accept that the closureof Filton Airfield is the only realistic or viable option for this area of land. I have read the report commissioned by BAE Systems in 2011(one of which has been submitted by Terence O'Rourke- a firm of planning consultants - interesting with regard to its potential neutrality), and have found them to be entirely unconvincing in many of their arguements. A superficial reading by someone not involved with the airfield and its considerable history and potential might well convince them to reach the same conclusion as the report. However, in realitythis picture of Filton is not one that I recognise from my own experience.
Having been a Flight Instructor based at Filton for many years,it has always seemed to me that the airfield has been both poorly utilised and under utilised.Anecdotally,I have never spoken to a Bristolian whois not immensely proud of thecontribution of Filton towards world Aviation, nor one whois in favour of wipingit off the map in favour of an unwanted development (I am curious to know how all the proposed"high value"jobs are to be generated given that BAE have just laid off 2000 hignly skilled workersin the North of England). The reportreveals the feeble and disconcerted efforts to make any serious attempt to market the airfield as an airport.It has nevereven been officially put 'on the market' as an airfield.BAE attended ONE trade show, put out a brochure and established a website - all of which indicates a somewhat half-hearted attempt to market Filton.
In short, Iwould like to see Filton kept as an airfield. This is not for my own personal benefit, as I am no longer instructing from Filton. I think the best use, and this is not contradicted by the report - would be to scale the airfield down and use it as a business hub for Bristol. In conjunction with local residents it could be organised so that no night flights take place (except those of the Air Ambulance and Police Helicopters which are a huge asset to the city). Filton receives a minimal number of noise complaints. My understanding ofthe noisecomplaints differs from the somewhat skewed information presented in the report and I would be happy to discussthis with you.Would it earn BAE Systems' a huge one -off payment, and therefore a sizeable dividend to their shareholders? No. But there would be plenty of land to use for offices and housing still, but on a scale which befits the area and without losing this incredibly unique and special heritage which, once lost,can never be replaced. The bulldozing, profit-obsessed few have had their way for longenough, and the whole world is suffering the inevitable consequences of a philosophy of greed. Here is an opportunity on our doorstep to preserve what is historic, meaningful and important to us locally. It may not produce vast sums of money but I cannot imagine it would lose money either. The report conveniently shyes away from presenting any actual figures, so we are all in the dark as to the genuine scale of Filton's 'losses' or indeed the likely gains were it to remain an airpport.The factthatthe report is unable to deny that a business hub might be profitable rather points to the fact that it could be.
Any information I have which would support the viablity of this proposalis based solelyon my own observations and knowledge as someone who has been acquainted with the various operators at Filton over the years. Naturally I do not have access to accounts to prove any viability;these are, I note, absent in the report also. I would add that the apparent downward spiral of businesses leaving Filton is attributable, in part, to the fact that they could not be offered long enough leases to make it worth their while staying. It is no great secret that the decision to sell the airfield is not a recent one. Against the constant backdrop of rumour and impending closure, few businesses saw any point in investing there. This is the reason the airfield appears unviable. With its future assured, Filton would surely attract that business back.
Kind regards,
Anita Kane