Council asks ‘what next for Woodford Aerodrome?’
Public exhibitions will be held later this month to gather views on the future of the 504 acre BAE Systems site in Stockport and east Cheshire as the plane maker prepares to close the site.
Stockport council is in the process of drawing up a supplementary planning document for the site given its scale. Of the total, 103 can be developed and the remainder will be returned to countryside.
Evidence is currently being gathered of the need for particular uses in the area and no decision about use class or size of development has yet been made. Development will focus on the north side of the site near Woodford Village.
BAE Systems is due to begin leaving the site at the end of the year with formal handover to the local authority in March 2012.
Exhibitions will be held in Woodford, Bramhall and Poynton during the week commencing 23 May to present work undertaken so far, discuss development principles and key issues and get people's views.
Public exhibitions:
- Tuesday 24 May, 1pm to 8pm, Woodford Community Centre
- Wednesday 25 May, 2.30pm to 8.30pm, Poynton Civic Centre
- Thursday 26 May, 3pm to 7pm, Bramhall Methodist Church
- Saturday 28 May ,11am to 1pm, Woodford Community Centre
Cllr Kevin Hogg, executive member for regeneration at Stockport Council, said: "The redevelopment of the Woodford Aerodrome site is a significant issue for local people and we are determined to work alongside residents to ensure the best possible future for the site, as well as for existing communities."
Following the exhibition, a design workshop will be held in June looking at development options for the site. The SPD will then be drafted by the council in the autumn, which will set out the preferred redevelopment for the site. A six week formal consultation process will follow and the SPD will formally be approved in spring 2012.
Documents and contact details for the team working on the site can be found at www.stockport.gov.uk/woodfordaerodrome
