Sandown airport R.I.P.?

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Member for

18 years 11 months

Posts: 8,847

Rumoured that all the airport staff have been told that their employment finishes on 24th January, 2010.

Is this the final nail in the coffin?:confused:

Original post

Another airport closed/closing?

Member for

15 years 2 months

Posts: 2,828

Lets hope not.
At this rate the only way to fly in the UK will be Heathrow.

Member for

20 years 8 months

Posts: 8,505

I hope that is untrue. Sandown is a smashing little airfield and always seems so much more friendly than Bembridge.

Member for

14 years 6 months

Posts: 140

Lets hope not,why can't people see it as a useful resource not just housing or industrial units you can't rent out.What a bad start to the new year for those workers!!!may you all get work again soon,in this season of goodwill.:mad:

Member for

14 years 9 months

Posts: 239

Sandown Airport is the victim of money and its associated greed factor. Believe me.

I can only hope that those responsible will find it impossible to sleep.

Sandown Airport is the victim of money and its associated greed factor. Believe me.

I can only hope that those responsible will find it impossible to sleep.

Ho! What's new? :diablo:

Member for

16 years 10 months

Posts: 313

Sandown Airport is the victim of money and its associated greed factor. Believe me.

I can only hope that those responsible will find it impossible to sleep.

So I take it that this time the rumour is true?

I don't suppose those responsible will be giving it a second thought - just rubbing their hands with glee in anticipation of the riches that await.

A sad ending to another fine airfield with a long if chequered history.

Wicked Willip :diablo:

Member for

14 years 9 months

Posts: 239

The place abounds with rumours, one of which is that the person who owned the field got greedy and sold it to one of those delightful (sic) development companies for £3M, who have now found out that they will not get planning permission for their plans for a holiday park, or some such rubbish. They (the developers) now want to sell it on but for the £3M that they paid. Which they won't get, of course. Seemingly the airport staff are under redundancy notice and quit 24 January. Meanwhile the airport is open, or closed, at someone's not too clever dictate.

Yes, seems a very sad end to a lovely little strip. All because of greed. There are claims that it loses money annually, not surprised seeing that the owner seemingly did nothing to make it look good. I mean, look at the mortal remains of the Aviator and the dumping ground of some dear person with no respect for anything, or anyone. Even the local tip looks more inviting. I wish I had the money because Sandown could be made to look good, and be good again, with just a little enthusiasm and right direction.

Intrestingly, the local development plan shows the area as an airport!!!

So if you have a few quid spare and the capability of making the development company involved realise the folly of their ways, I am quite sure that you will be welcomed by many. We are waiting for you!

And, finally, the cafe is open. Super baps, tea, coffee, you name it. (OK Carla?).

Member for

18 years 11 months

Posts: 8,847

Thanks for the update. I could have bought the airport in 1964 and it wasn't making a profit then!:)

Member for

16 years 4 months

Posts: 2,101

The place abounds with rumours, one of which is that the person who owned the field got greedy and sold it to one of those delightful (sic) development companies for £3M....edited

And, finally, the cafe is open. Super baps, tea, coffee, you name it. (OK Carla?).

I refer the honourable gentleman to the anser I gave in August 2009. Thread called Isle of Wight.

Nowthen, which cafe? The real one or the make-shift hut round the back?

Member for

14 years 9 months

Posts: 239

Flying in the face of 'blackmail'

Flying in the face of 'blackmail' is the headline in this week's edition of the Isle of Wight County Press. The article goes on to say:

"A gagging order has been slapped on pilots wishing to store their planes at the IW Airport, as part of new agreement drawn up by the site owners Wharf Land Investments (WLI) Ltd.
"Anyone planning to rent hangar space at the Sandown site from next month must sign the agreement, stating that they will not object to any future development of the airfield by WLI or a subsequent owner.
"WLI, which is chaired by former government minister David Mellor, announced plans to turn the airfield into a high quality leisure park shortly after purchasing the site two years ago.
"The new agreement, which also includes a hike in the monthly hangar rental fee from £200 to £300, comes into effect when the current lease expires at the end of this month.
"Under the new lease the site will be run as an unlicensed rather than a licensed airport, which means there will be fewer regulations. Flying activities will continue as usual, but the control tower will be unmanned.

One local resident, who has stored his aircraft at the airport for the last seven years is said to have refused to sign the agreement and is moving his aircraft. "I'll be moving my aircraft to Bembridge, that's how strongly I feel. And there are about 20 other people who will feel the same. To tell people that they can't object in the future in the future if they want to keep their planes there is blackmail, plain and simple. And the fees are so much higher. They are making it untenable for people even to operate there".

So there you have the latest (reported) sitrep.

May I suggest that if you want to comment then you send a letter to the editor of the Isle of Wight County Press at: [email]editor@iwcp2.demon.co.uk[/email] , with a copy to Wharf Land Investments Ltd (attn Mr David Mellor), whose address I am sure can be found on line. As for objecting to forthcoming planning applications, I will definitely be objecting as a matter of course, but with good reasons; I don't have an aircraft! But I do firmly believe that the site is an airport and not some "high quality leisure park", whatever that is meant to mean. Sounds a bit like 'developer speak'.

Member for

18 years 11 months

Posts: 8,847

Spamfield 2010 is being advertised and I believe the airfield is now unlicensed. Five hundred and seventy five (575) aircraft have previously registered for this event!

http://www.wightparty.org.uk/index.html