Shoreham temporary closure

By: Newforest - 14th April 2008 at 15:49 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

This letter explains it. Hope there is a good outcome to this problem.:)

http://www.erinaceousir.com/erinaceous/news_events/rns/rnsitem?id=1208170521nRNSN2676S

By: Paul F - 16th April 2008 at 09:54 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

Shoreham's future?

Local commercial radio this morning reported that the new owners are the group who own all the commercial property on the airfield, and that it was back to "business as usual" at Shoreham.

"Its a good thing that it's all now owned by one company" was the general comment expressed.

Hmmm, maybe, maybe not - given the location of the land, I just hope it isn't worth more to the new owner as a large commercial development site than as an airfield. Given their prior experience of the viability and potential profitability of commerical property in that area, I am sure they will want to maximise financial return on their new acquisition, by whatever means is most favourable.

Not sure how much income/profit light aviation (and related activities) at Shoreham brings in per square metre per annum, but I fear that potential income from light industrial/business units might be higher per square metre? There have been rumours of this sort of change of use happening for many years :(

Add in the potential "political spin" aspect of the promise of many more jobs for the local masses, rather than just offering relatively few "specialised" jobs catering to the "minority" of the population involved in the "elite-ist" world of ("non environmentally friendly") private flying, plus the good communications link A27/A23 etc and I fear we may see a (rapid?) expansion of the industrial park taking precedence over expansion (or maintenance) of current flying activities.

Yes the airport does currently have scheduled services, but they are hardly going to set the world on fire with a few round trips to the Channel Islands a week - and other commercial ventures (flights to France via Lydd etc) have never really managed to survive. So few passengers are hardly likely to bring much income to the surrounding area as they travel.

I sincerely hope I'm wrong, but it worries me greatly that a "commerical property" based organisation has taken ownership of a well located "greenfield" site that might easily be argued for treatment as a "brownfield" site for planning purposes :(.

Paul F

By: atr42 - 16th April 2008 at 12:32 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

I can't say I know the details but have followed the story on BBC South Today over the past few days. My understanding is that the local politicians (who used to own it) have stated that their view is that an airfield must remain. I remember hearing somewhere that a minimum of 35 years was mentioned. Hopefully that is the case.
Update
Just checked the BBC's last report here http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/sussex/7348883.stm
Looking at the previous owners website they were also a property management company. Seems they have been trying to rent out bits of the airfield for some time.
Look at the former Wisley Airfield. Been owned by property companies for years. Last sold a couple of years ago for £22M. Still no sign that the planners will allow anything.
Worth keeping an eye on though.

By: avion ancien - 24th April 2008 at 08:54 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

Can someone tell me something about Albemarle Shoreham Airport Ltd. and its connection, if any, to Erinaceous Plc? What progress has it made toward acquisition of Shoreham? What track record does it have relating to airfield operation (I have noted Willip's reference to a Fairoaks connection)? I'm sure that there must be word on the grapevine by now! Presumably the aerodrome continues to operate under the control of the Administrators for the time being. In this overall context, is there justification for the fears expressed for its future as an airfield?