Team named for Woodford Aerodrome museum

BAE Systems and the Avro Heritage Trust have appointed Cassidy + Ashton and Conlon Construction to design and build a museum at the former Woodford Aerodrome site.

The scheme will see the two Preston-based firms develop a 11,700 sq ft purpose-built museum at Woodford to house Avro Heritage Trust's catalogue of aviation history documents and exhibits, including a full-sized Vulcan bomber.

Woodford is located across both Stockport and Cheshire.

The project will convert an existing aerodrome fire station into an exhibition hall and mezzanine gallery, with a café at first floor level. There will also be archive, reading rooms and classrooms for school visits.

The contract value was not disclosed but was described as a "seven-figure project".

Conlon Construction is expected to on site in August and to finish in February 2015.

Cassidy + Ashton has worked on a range of buildings across the North West, which include the Lancashire Evening Post head offices, UCLan's faculty of dentistry, Stonyhurst College, and the £43m Spar distribution centre at Preston East.

The development of the museum is part of the wider regeneration of the 500-acre Woodrow aerodrome site. A joint venture between Harrow Estates, Redrow Homes and Avro Heritage Trust submitted plans to Stockport Council for a 950 home-development in October 2013.

Tim Wallis, project manager for BAE systems, said: "BAE Systems has significantly committed to funding a new museum on the site for the Avro Heritage Trust in recognition of Woodford's outstanding commitment to aircraft development. The gesture will ensure that the thousands of artefacts collected by the Trust are displayed permanently on site, preserving Woodford's historic links with British aviation history.

"Both Cassidy + Ashton and Conlon Construction impressed us with their passion and attention to detail and we're looking forward to this project coming to fruition."

Avro Heritage is a venture established by JCB heir Joe Bamford to buy the Woodford Aerodrome site from BAE Systems in a £100m deal.