Stan and Jackie Sims
2011.08.11
South Gloucestershire Council
Planning Dept
Thorbury
Options
We feel unable to comment. They are very complex issues and need to be understood in the context of the new structure plan. This is unrealistic so these comments are based on our knowledge of the aircraft industries and the Southern Brooks parishes.
Airfield on smaller scale
We feel that the airfield is no longer compatible with its use prior to the recent reductions in opening hours etc. In the recent past about 30,000 take-offs and landings were taking place each year. This suggests a demand for small aircraft and helicopter movements. There should be safeguarding while such an option is explored and the time to allow business plans etc to be developed.
Housing for young adults
Social housing is totally insufficient. Increasing numbers of young adults are unable to get on the housing ladder. Our young adults are forced into private renting where 6 month contracts are common, with costs involved in renewing contracts. This lack of security of tenure is stressful and no way for families with young children who cannot afford to buy and are not eligible for social housing to live. There has to be opportunities for self building, with innovative schemes enabling a modular construction which can be added to as need arises.
Housing to be spread across the site
I appreciate that the outlines have been produced in haste and may bear no relationship to what happens in the end. However it would appear that the main housing development is focused on the west end and employment on the east. This would be disaster for Filton on two counts. Houses bring rates into the parish pots, workplaces do not. Workplaces are also a barrier to residents communicating, so distribution needs to be very carefully worked out. New housing needs to reflect the whole income range of those who work in the north fringe area. Recent new house building does not seem to have offered much to higher earners which is why most of them commute into the north fringe.
Retain option to develop Filton / Avonmouth line
The North Fringe to Hengrove rapid transport will have no benefits to the residents of Filton as it is to far away. It will possibly benefit Patchway. The development of the Filton to Avonmouth rail link however could benefit Filton. The former Station site at Filton West needs to be retained as this would serve Filton.
Commitment to invest in existing communities, develop links and reduce isolation
Filton is broken into small sections by major roads, railways and workplace areas with no access through. Before the Second World War the aircraft factory was open. There were footpaths across the site to outlying villages such as Charlton and Henbury. Then everything was closed down and all the footpaths disappeared. Filton Parish Council objected strongly to the temporary closure of footpaths which became permanent with no consultation. The closure gives the opportunity to reduce the isolation of Filton from the rest of South Glos. However there is also a real danger that without a rethink of the current apparent proposals Filton could end up more isolated than at present. The present bus routes, particularly the 75 and 73, travel miles round the houses to get anywhere north of Filton; fine if you want to go somewhere in between but totally frustrating if you want to go to Cribbs Causeway. People use cars instead and this applies to people in north Bristol as well.
No offloading of housing developments planned for other areas of South Glos.
The current huge increases in 5 year olds suggest we will need both those developments and the proposals on the airfield.
Jobs
The aircraft industry at Filton has provided well paid work at all levels. The target should be to retain that. Warehousing at the minimum wage end is not needed, there is already plenty around so that means no freight aircraft; they use old aircraft, unsocial hours, low pay and do not use modern, quiet, ‘green’ aircraft. There has to be housing and jobs to reflect the spectrum of work offered
A place for Concorde………….
There was a lot of discussion about an AviationMuseum in planning the Charlton Hayes development which came to nothing. Don’t let that happen again.
……………. but large enough to create a sustainable museum.
A museum development must be large enough to be sustainable. It must have variety, space for children to run around and play in between looking at the history, education facilities, an eating place, archives, workshops, carparking etc, etc.
Look at Brooklands
We recommend a visit to Brooklands by Councillors and officers.
Brooklands at Weybridge in Surrey was a BAe Systems site with a small airfield that has been, and still is, being developed. Housing, large office? blocks, hotels; Mercedes World have a huge site with a car track with skid facilities. They also have a very large area devoted to Brooklands Museum which preserves some of the banked racing track, celebrates the aviation of the site including a Wellington Bomber under restoration, a new bus museum and a cluster of old C1930’s buildings and aircraft factory buildings which are put to good use. There is a prototype Concorde (outside), education facilities and lots of space for children to run around. They are lucky; their old buildings are still in place, the ones at Filton were razed in the 1990’s.It is a good model for the development of a former aviation factory and airfield, the mix of heritage uses offers an interesting full day outing. The model of mainly volunteers with a small number of paid staff works well. Bristol Aero Collection have the assets and the experience to establish a similarly successful Museum at Filton.
Failing a visit we have photos.
Finally
Residents and Councillors of Filton need workshops, explanations, information and the chance to ask questions before joining the established Cribbs / Patchway working party. They will be at great disadvantage if this does not happen.
Yours faithfully
Alderman Stan Sims and Jackie Sims