CHAIRMAN’S REPORT TO WAAG AGM HELD AT BOBBINGTON VILLAGE HALL ON 24TH APRIL 2008

It’s been a funny old twelve months since the last AGM!

For most of that period our attention has been focused on seeking to influence the outcome of the Local Development Framework and the Regional Spatial Strategy. These are of course the documents which will shape the planning framework both legally and regionally for the next twenty years. We have had some considerable success, working with South Staffs Council in shaping the former, such that the draft document, which has a section devoted specifically to the airport, broadly reflects our position.

In the case of the RSS, however, which is probably the more important of the two documents, we have encountered more problems. This document is prepared under the auspices of the Regional Assembly, who in January 2007 published a series of options which in respect of the airport stated that it should ‘Continue its role of serving business and general aviation’. We could broadly agree with that and so, with one minor exception could the hundreds who replied to the consultation. It was with some surprise, however, that after the consultation, the Preferred Options document contained the following gem ‘The further development of Coventry Airport and Wolverhampton Business Airport and the other airports in the Region should be in accordance with the roles set out in the ATWP (Air Transport White Paper) and should complement the role of BIA (Birmingham Airport) as the Region’s principal passenger airport. Development plans for the relevant local planning authority (and neighbouring authorities where appropriate) should include policies for the assessment of expansion proposals---. What on earth does ‘complementary’ mean in this context and why the presumption that there will be expansion. Despite writing many letters, enlisting the aid of Sir Patrick Cormack and the District Council and finally making a request under the Freedom of Information Act we have still not managed to determine why or at whose behest the wording was changed. We are not going to let this one lie, however, and will continue our efforts to uncover the truth and to ensure that the final document reflects the wishes of our members.

Those of you who are on our database will have received a mailing from us earlier in the year asking you to object to the wording during the preferred options consultation. It is very gratifying to be able to report that despite the airport strategy forming a tiny part of the overall RSS document, by far the majority of comments and objections received were in relation to the issue I’ve just mentioned. The consultation period was originally due to end in March but has now been extended ‘till the end of June. We shall shortly be coming out again to the membership encouraging those who haven’t yet responded to do so.

There have been another couple of interesting developments recently. MAR have revised their plans again, proposing this time the phased development of an aviation park incorporating business units allegedly aimed at aviation related industries whilst continuing to develop business and general aviation. These plans have been shared with the council and we too have met with the council and Sir Patrick Cormack to review them. Again, however, no plans have been submitted and we struggle to see any way in which they can be economically viable. A further meeting has been arranged between MAR and WAAG to discuss the proposals and David Giddings may be able to give us an update later.

The other significant issue to emerge recently is the application by the airport for a Certificate of Lawful Use or CLUD in respect of the operation of jet aircraft. They already have a longstanding permission for use of one specific type of aircraft, a Cessna Citation. What they are now seeking, however, is to broaden that into a much wider permission for more general jet use. Clearly this has the potential to be a major issue and David Giddings and Norman Jones are representing WAAG in discussions with the council. David, I know has more to say on this issue, including how you can help us to fight the application later in the meeting.

It only remains for me now to give my thanks all those people too numerous to mention who continue to help us, to our membership who yet again have shown their willingness to respond in numbers when asked and finally to you for coming out tonight and listening to me. Thank you.