Ambitious plans for a new centre celebrating Filton’s aerospace heritage, and providing a permanent home for Concorde 216, have received a million-pound boost from South Gloucestershire councillors. At a meeting of Full Council on 19th March, members pledged £1.1m to the Bristol Aero Collection Trust to help develop a new aerospace museum and learning centre on the site of Filton’s
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Airfield campaign group appeals to councillors ahead of crucial meeting
A press release from the Save Filton Airfield Group in response to the decision by South Gloucestershire planners to include Filton Airfield as a strategic development location (for housing and employment) in the latest revision of their Core Strategy. Monday 5th December 2011 was a sad day for Bristol as South Gloucestershire Council planners backed the termination of more than
Continue readingFilton Airfield to become “dumping ground” for new homes
Labour councillors in South Gloucestershire have denounced a reliance on developing Filton Airfield to deliver a Government-appointed inspector’s higher housing demands. In a revision to the Core Strategy, South Gloucestershire Council’s 15-year planning framework just published, the new homes supply number for South Gloucestershire is proposed to increase by 4,855 (to 26,435) – with 81% of this additional number to
Continue reading[Forum] Closure of Filton Airfield is “unthinkable”
Dear Editor, The closure of Filton Airfield is unthinkable, with its ease of access to the motorway network and direct rail-link, combined with the long runway. Such a strategic location should be utilized to its maximum. Air freight cargo is now transported to all destinations worldwide. With the increase in air freight services Filton could become a “Cargo Hub”. Major
Continue readingBBC revelation overshadows councillors’ Filton Airfield debate
Filton Airfield, earmarked for closure at the end of 2012 by its owner BAE Systems, made £1.3m profit in 2010, the BBC has revealed. The news has angered campaigners who would like to see the airfield kept operational because the company described the facility as “unviable” when justifying its decision to close it at the end of 2012. The news
Continue readingBAE Systems issues report justifying Filton Airfield closure
In response to a request by South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) that BAE Systems “further explains and justifies its decision to close Filton Airfield”, the defence company has now published a detailed report that will be considered by the council when it revises its draft Core Strategy later this year. The report, entitled “Filton Airfield Aviation Options Report” can be viewed
Continue readingCampaign to save Filton Airfield gathers pace
Following the recent call from Bristol City Council condemning house building on Filton Airfield, local councils are also making their voices heard and calling for Filton Airfield to remain as a working aerodrome. South Gloucestershire Council will debate a save Filton Airfield motion on Wednesday 19th October whilst councillors on Filton Town Council, Bradley Stoke Town Council and Oldland Parish
Continue readingCouncil asks for views on future of Filton Airfield
Local people are being urged to share their views on the future of Filton Airfield, which has been scheduled for closure by owners BAE Systems by the end of 2012. South Gloucestershire Council has launched a new series of public exhibitions to find out what people have to say about both the proposed closure and the future of the 348-acre
Continue readingFilton Airfield has run at a loss for years says BAE Systems
Filton Airfield has been running at a loss for more than a decade, according to its owners BAE Systems, who plan to close it at the end of 2012. A meeting at Filton Community Centre on Monday night (19th September) heard Andrew Cheeseman, Director of BAE Systems (Aviation Services), state that the airfield had lost “millions of pounds” in recent
Continue readingLopresti: “No need for an airstrip at Filton”
Statement on Filton Airfield from Jack Lopresti MP Over the last few months the planned closure of Filton Airfield has divided some local opinion. The announcement from BAE Systems that the airfield will shut on the last day of 2012 was sad but presents us with some great opportunities. I understand the sentiments behind the campaign to save the airfield,
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