17th October 2014
Filton Airfield plans go to Council
Following nearly a year of consultation with local people, BAE Systems and Alder King have submitted a planning application for the redevelopment of Filton Airfield. Developing the site would create around 9,000 jobs and vital new community facilities serving the wider community.
It would bring two new primary schools, a new secondary school, a community and health centre and a wide range of new homes. This application comes shortly after the Bristol Aero Collection Trust submitted its plans for two new museums on the site, to celebrate Filton’s aero engineering heritage.
Lloyd Burnell from the Bristol Aero Collection Trust said: “We are very happy that our new museums will be part of this site. With the new employment, schools and housing it should help us inspire thousands of people with Filton’s past engineering triumphs and its pride and joy – Concorde.
“BAE Systems gave us the museum land for free as well as making a significant contribution to building it. There has also been a huge amount of support from the public for the museums, so we hope the plans are approved and we can start building next year.”
John Benson from Alder King said: “During our consultation, people told us what was most important to them – heritage, jobs, transport and community facilities. 95% agreed with the plans to celebrate heritage, not only through the new museums but also through naming the site, roads and buildings after famous people and planes from the past. We will continue to work with local groups to do this and will call the employment area ‘Concorde Park’ in line with the public vote.
“People also asked us if we could help local people to get the new jobs created. To do this we have committed to regular skills and training meetings with South Gloucestershire Council and the local colleges to identify what training is needed to make sure local people are in front of the queue.”
Sara-Jane Watkins, Vice-Principal of South Gloucestershire and Stroud College said: “Our students took part in the consultation on the airfield and made it clear that jobs were their top priority. By taking part in a skills and training body, we can see what jobs will be required and make sure local students are ready to fill them.”
Transport was also picked out as a concern, with many talking about the impact of new homes and employment on traffic. The Filton Airfield development – along with other developments in the area – will be making a £60million contribution to improving roads and transport plans currently underway by South Gloucestershire Council, as well as providing a dedicated route for the Metrobus through the site. It will also be providing space for a new railway station which would be part of the Henbury line proposed for the area.
Alder King and BAE Systems are also working with the Great Western Air Ambulance and National Police Air Service to identify a permanent site for them. All parties are committed to finding an appropriate site that allows them to continue operating their essential helicopter services for the Bristol and wider area.