PROPOSALS for a multi-million pound aviation park on Bridgnorth’s doorstep were given a cool reception by a parish council chief this week.
Peter Collings, chairman of Claverley Parish Council, said that members remained concerned by any plans that would lead to the expansion of Wolverhampton Airport.
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Airport owners Mar Properties want to develop a site so that business owners can snap up made-to-measure factory units.New aeroplane hangars would also be created under the scheme which is about to be submitted to South Staffordshire Council. Mar say that the aviation park would redefine the function of the airport for years to come.
Councillor Collings said this week that he had not been told of the proposals, but was aware of a “behind closed doors” meeting at the beginning of the year, which involved airport bosses and the district council.
“The parish council has said all along that it supports the continued use of the airport for general aviation, private flying and flying schools. But anything that is a stepping-stone to anything else would be of concern to us and I would hope and expect that we would be consulted by South Staffordshire Council.”
Councillor Collings said that the move by Mar Properties is expected on the agenda of the next parish council meeting on August 11.
Steve Winterflood, deputy chief executive of South Staffordshire Council, said he was aware that the plans had been in the pipeline. “It is fair to say that the plans have been talked about for quite some time. They have been talking about the medium and long-term plans for the site.”
News of the proposed redevelopment comes just months after campaigners feared controversial expansion plans for the airport had resurfaced. Previous proposals to increase the size of the airport had met fierce opposition in the past with Claverley council worried about the effects of increased traffic and on the environment.
Mar Properties insisted in 2006 that passenger airlines would not be flying out of Wolverhampton and that business aviation was the preferred option.