Wellesbourne Vulcan on borrowed time?

https://www.flyer.co.uk/wellesbourne-to-stay-open-say-airfield-owners/

It’s on Flyer and now the local rags…

Thanks for that Nige – just for clarity what is the source of the quote?

Tim

Big news…! :eagerness:

Wellesbourne Airfield will continue operating until further notice. That’s the sort-of-good news from the Littler family which owns the airfield. They have agreed to keep the airfield operating while a dispute over leases is determined by the courts.

This follows the local Stratford District Council stopping a move to demolish buildings on the airfield earlier this week. The council also threatened to compulsory purchase the airfield if an agreement on its future could not be agreed.

The Littler family issued this statement through a firm of solicitors:

“Littler Investments have always desired to adopt a fair approach with regard to the tenants of Wellesbourne Airfield, as they have sought to determine the future of their land.

“As part of this approach, for the last 18 months the operators and owners of the airfield have kept the tenants informed of the situation, beginning in June 2015 when new, formal leases with beneficial terms were offered to tenants.

“After none of the businesses had chosen to take up this offer after six months, the owners decided not to renew the subtenants’ leases when the operator of the airport’s lease expires. In order to allow a substantial time period for the tenants’ businesses to find suitable alternative premises before the end of the lease, they informed tenants in December 2015 that the leases would expire 12 months later in December 2016.

“Since then, tenants have formally applied to have their tenancies renewed.

“There is now an ongoing legal process, by which a judge will decide whether the existing tenants are entitled to new tenancies.

“The tenants have appointed legal advisors, who will no doubt have advised them both of the legal process and the potential outcomes.

“The tenants, through their solicitors, have also asked for clarity as to whether they will be able to continue using the airfield for now, given the court process will take a few months to resolve.

“Reflecting Littler Investments’ desire to adopt a fair approach, they have confirmed that arrangements will be put in place to enable the airfield to continue operating beyond the end of this year until further notice.

“If the court determines that the tenants are entitled to remain, any new tenancies would be decided by the court in due course, rather than by the landowners, and these would reflect fair market rents.

“As such, various figures published in the press are not recognised by the landowners. Similarly the landowners have been subject to a number of personal criticisms, which have questioned their motivations and conduct. In fact, the landowners have sought to keep tenants informed of the situation at all times, and continue to seek positive engagement.”

Lol, my Firfox window is slid off the screen so ’12th December’ appears as 2th December’ …

Sorry…:stupid:

I’ll go back to sleep…

I have a connection to the airfield and the area.
There’s a surprising amount of support locally FOR the airfield, rather than the 7000 houses or whatever this weeks number is..

So quickly that you may have missed #28 ? 😀

And #32 😀

Moggy

So quickly that you may have missed #28 ? 😀

Currently fighting Gladmans in our village. Trying to put 80 houses on part of a working farm which will include demolishing everything but the farmhouse itself, therefore rendering the whole farm unviable for the sitting tenant (of 50 years). Flooding and loss of privacy issues too. Gladmans are very aggressive developers, they specialise on overturning decisions at appeal, I fear that this matter at Wellesbourne is not yet over.:(

Things are moving quickly…

http://www.stratford-herald.com/62932-breaking-news-sdc-takes-dramatic-action-stop-wellesbourne-airfield-demolition.html

DRAMATIC and urgent action has been taken by Stratford-on-Avon District Council to prevent the demolition of buildings at Wellesbourne Airfield.

Today (Monday) the council’s ruling cabinet agreed to remove permitted development rights from the site owners, the Littler family. The decision took immediate effect and is now in force.

The cabinet also decided to seek powers to compulsorily purchase the airfield if negotiations with the owners fail and to obtain an injunction if any attempt is made to start the demolition process.

The moves by the cabinet were made under urgent business at a special meeting that had been arranged to discuss another issue.

Shock plans to begin demolishing the site were revealed by the family two weeks ago. The news – which would involve all the businesses there closing down with more than 200 jobs being lost – prompted urgent discussions between the tenants and leading figures at the district council.

The Littler family and developers Gladman are believed to be furious that their proposals to close down the airfield and build 1,500 homes on the land has been repeatedly rejected at every level – including that of the planning inspectorate.

Given that the airfield has been refused classification as a development site in the council’s core strategy, there is deep concern that the owners now want to render the site unusable for aviation purposes by wrecking it.

Just over a week ago Cllr Chris Saint (Cons, Shipston North), the leader of the council, wrote to Business Secretary Greg Clark and Small Businesses Minister Margot James, asking the government to intervene to help save the airfield. At the beginning of this week he was awaiting a reply.

It’s thought the airfield could be sold for £5.5 million. But its development value could be more than £100 million.

Hi All,
Thank you for all your explanations as to why XM655 will not make a short ferry flight :eagerness: Well apart from my question being in the FANTASY world it seems that it’s not viable to have her made airworthy just for a short hop. As one of you pointed out with the decision not to have XH558 based at Bruntingthorpe there is a question of why ? Personally I think it was a decision taken by the VTST and not Bruntingthorpe themselves, more along the lines of VTST wanting to keep control of the of operating the Vulcan.

I can’t see that those who operate the cold war collection at Bruntingthorpe would put any obstacles in the way of the Vulcans operation by VTST, but perhaps they clashed on ideas of how to operate jointly at the same site and that’s why they opted for the Vulcan dispersal airfield of Finningly as Mr Plemming’s idea was possibly a very different future outlook than those of Bruntingthorpe ?

Geoff.

Currently fighting Gladmans in our village. Trying to put 80 houses on part of a working farm which will include demolishing everything but the farmhouse itself, therefore rendering the whole farm unviable for the sitting tenant (of 50 years). Flooding and loss of privacy issues too. Gladmans are very aggressive developers, they specialise on overturning decisions at appeal, I fear that this matter at Wellesbourne is not yet over.:(

http://www.stratford-herald.com/62932-breaking-news-sdc-takes-dramatic-action-stop-wellesbourne-airfield-demolition.html as mentioned

… the Owner of the Vulcan and the Owner of the Airfield is Mr Littler

It’s a fair point, but which would I rather have, an operating GA airfield or a live but ground-bound Vulcan?

Airfield every time.

Then Wellesbourne Mountford, the site of my training including first solo and PPL test has a very special place for me.

A ferry flight is categorically not going to happen, unfortunately. If it cannot happen for 558 then it certainly isn’t going to happen I do wonder if Bruntingthorpe deserve a say in the matter, given that this is the second Vulcan that apparently should be performing a short hop in their direction. There must be a good reason, or three, as to why 558 didn’t end up at “Brunty” once grounded?

Squirreling it out by road might be a better option, but is anywhere looking for a Vulcan?

One point overlooked is that the Owner of the Vulcan and the Owner of the Airfield is Mr Littler, So he can do what he wants
with the Vulcan, and with all the pressure being applied from Aviation interests to block development I am not reassured.

Didn’t a Vulcan already leave Bruntingthorpe?

Meanwhile, back in the real world a distinct turn for the better. Well done SDC!

DRAMATIC and urgent action has been taken by Stratford District Council to prevent the demolition of buildings at Wellesbourne Airfield.

Today (Monday) the council’s ruling cabinet agreed to remove permitted development rights from the site owners, the Littler family. The decision took immediate effect and is now in force.

The cabinet also decided to seek powers to compulsorily purchase the airfield if negotiations with the owners fail and to obtain an injunction if any attempt is made to start the demolition process.

The moves by the cabinet were made under urgent business at a special meeting that had been arranged to discuss another issue.

Shock plans to begin demolishing the site were revealed by the family two weeks ago. The news – which would involve all the businesses there closing down with more than 200 jobs being lost – prompted urgent discussions between the tenants and leading figures at the district council.

The Littler family and developers Gladman are believed to be furious that their proposals to close down the airfield and build 1,500 homes on the land has been repeatedly rejected at every level – including that of the planning inspectorate.

Given that the airfield has been refused classification as a development site in the council’s core strategy, there is deep concern that the owners now want to render the site unusable for aviation purposes by wrecking it.

Just over a week ago Cllr Chris Saint (Cons, Shipston North), the leader of the council, wrote to Business Secretary Greg Clark and Small Businesses Minister Margot James, asking the government to intervene to help save the airfield. At the beginning of this week he was awaiting a reply.

It’s thought the airfield could be sold for £5.5 million. But its development value could be more than £100 million.

Fom the Stratford Herald, always a supporter of the airfield.

Maybe it could fly;

Can a Vulcan be broken down for transport (especially if it’s not going to fly again)?

Only done once I think:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=226&t=136489

Hi All,
I asked if it was possible as other aircraft have been made airworthy for one last ferry flight in the past, plus the fact that any parts needed as replacements surely could be cannibalised from XH558 just for the ferry flight then returned. :confused: I know this idea is far out there but surely this would be a better outcome all around in my view, especially if wellesbourne closed rather than scrapping the machine that has been lovingly cared for by the custodians since delivery to wellesbourne yes ?

I imagine the money needed to do this could be raised if enthusiasts wanted it to happen with all the proper paperwork etc.etc. in place and it meant another delta was saved from the scrappers could be kept live. Add to that Bruntingthorpe is the perfect home if like I said the worse comes to the worse or do you think that a lot of enthusiasts would deem this as a waste of money ? that’s all just floating the idea that’s all…..:rolleyes:

A fantasy day out could be with the best of RAF aviation live and fast taxi runs by Vulcan/Victor/Vc10/Nimrod/Jaguar/Canberra/Lightning/Hunter/Provost/ Hawk/ Tornado plus other foreign aircraft, what say you ?

Geoff.

There was a big gap of a number of years in XM655’s care. She was looked after for a couple of years post delivery in 84 and then nothing until the early 90’s when Delta Engineering bought 655 back to life. I joined Delta in 94 and helped with the start of her restoration. A few years later Delta moved to Kemble and I and a couple of other engineers founded 655 MaPS and the rest is history as they say. Unfortunately you could have all the money needed but without OEM support you ain’t going to fly.

Can a Vulcan be broken down for transport (especially if it’s not going to fly again)?

It just isn’t gonna fly. It would take lots and lots of money. The original manufacturer doesn’t want to support the type (airframe and engines). And the CAA will never allow it either. 558 was a one off deal. It’s not the USA unfortunately. There’s a huge gap between a live taxi-able airframe, and an airworthy one.

Hi All,
I asked if it was possible as other aircraft have been made airworthy for one last ferry flight in the past, plus the fact that any parts needed as replacements surely could be cannibalised from XH558 just for the ferry flight then returned. :confused: I know this idea is far out there but surely this would be a better outcome all around in my view, especially if wellesbourne closed rather than scrapping the machine that has been lovingly cared for by the custodians since delivery to wellesbourne yes ?

I imagine the money needed to do this could be raised if enthusiasts wanted it to happen with all the proper paperwork etc.etc. in place and it meant another delta was saved from the scrappers could be kept live. Add to that Bruntingthorpe is the perfect home if like I said the worse comes to the worse or do you think that a lot of enthusiasts would deem this as a waste of money ? that’s all just floating the idea that’s all…..:rolleyes:

A fantasy day out could be with the best of RAF aviation live and fast taxi runs by Vulcan/Victor/Vc10/Nimrod/Jaguar/Canberra/Lightning/Hunter/Provost/ Hawk/ Tornado plus other foreign aircraft, what say you ?

Geoff.