York Press today :
Burn Gliding Club in land battle
8:29am Wednesday 20th April 2011
A GLIDING club in North Yorkshire is to bid for the land it uses, to avoid potentially being left homeless.
Burn Gliding Club unanimously resolved at an Extraordinary General Meeting to bid for Burn Airfield, which is owned by Yorkshire Forward but which must be disposed of when the quango is wound up.
The club has used the airfield for the past 28 years and long-standing member Bob Baines presented plans for the club to secure the site.
Chairman Tony Flannery said: “We are determined to stay at Burn Airfield and know that we have the support of local residents.
“I am therefore delighted that our members have approved and will support a bid to purchase the land that we require. We therefore look forward to working with Yorkshire Forward, the local farmers and the local council to achieve a fair solution to all parties.”
Yorkshire Forward’s preferred option is to place the land in a Trust managed by a local council. If that is not possible, the club understands Yorkshire Forward may offer the site on the open market, but local MP Nigel Adams has told the club a final decision has been delayed until the autumn.
The club said that without a long-term lease, it would be difficult to justify spending money repairing the runways and facilities.
It has discussed a joint-purchase with local farmers, but is to submit a formal bid on its own in case farmers are not interested.
Many members pledged financial support if required and the British Gliding Association can provide further funding.
By: Firebex - 20th April 2011 at 15:30
I assume the guys at the club have already gone down the route of considering a petition to the local council and government etc with their MP raising a question ?.
I think if need be the members of this forum shoul dbe asked to consider supporting the club with a petition.I for one would glady support a petition and I know a lot of others who would also,I am sure if the local community support them then a petition from them would also carry weight as obviously th elocal communtiy have the voting power to block any alternative plan or planninmg permission even going to ultimately a public enquiry.
Mike E
Keep our yorkshire Heritage alive !!!!!!!.
westlandwhirlwindfighterproject.webs.com supports the Burn Glider club
By: Paul - 20th April 2011 at 15:18
Hi all,
Yorkshire Forward! More like “Yorkshire Backward”…. Selby Council are not without blame on this mess either. Burn gliding club offered to buy the land some years ago but the Council insisted on selling the airfield to Yorkshire forward.
I do hope that the gliding club gets to stay. They have looked after the airfield for the last 28 years. The rest being returned to farm land and public footpaths. It is a wonderful atmospheric place. Though most buildings are gone all three runways are still intact. A really peaceful place. A gliding club is a suitable fitting tribute to the memories of the airmen who flew from there not to return. All the locals want it to remain as it is…. But will Selby Council or Yorkshire Forward listen?
I really don’t want it to turn into yet another anonymous industrial estate!
Where is that lottery win when you need one!
Paul.
By: Soggy - 20th April 2011 at 15:18
Good luck to the Gliding Club. Pushing this kind of thing forward on a voluntary basis and successfully takes a special team of people.
Best wishes,
Soggy.
By: TonyT - 20th April 2011 at 12:47
Good on ya!
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April 20, 2011 at 11:59 am