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No1 Radio School, RAF Locking
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New Web Site for Locking Parklands
For the latest news on the development of RAF Locking visit www.lockingparklands.co.uk/Home.aspx. The site has been created by the South West of England Regional Development Agency and English Partnerships. Includes the proposal to build 1,800 homes on the site.
Consultation with Locking Village
Residents (March 2007)
Follow this
link and this
one for the latest plans - well thinking - on the development of
the site of RAF Locking.
(English
partnerships press release)
Locking Parklands is the new name for RAF Locking. The name for the
former RAF Locking site was revealed at a public meeting on 19
October 2006.
The first company to commit to moving to RAF Locking (Locking Parklands) is Oxford Instruments Plasma technology, a subsidiary of Oxford Scientific Instruments PLC. The company will be taking 50,000 sq ft of space to house their 170 staff on Locking Parklands.
Developers set sights on RAF Locking (October 2006)
(Weston and Somerset Mercury)
Plans have been revealed to build 1,800 new homes and offices on the site
of RAF Locking. The South West Regional Development Agency is seeking a
developer to implement the plans for the initial development of
'employment opportunities' as major housing developments are not a high priority
until 2011. November 2006 will see local workshops taking place to inform local
residents of progress.
Securing the site of RAF Locking (October 2006)
(Weston and Somerset Mercury)
Almost £80,000 a year is being spent on keeping trespassers off the
former RAF Locking camp. The RAF Locking site has 24-hour security following its
purchase in 2002 by the South West Regional Development Agency and English
Partnerships, which are jointly funding the security measures. The site it
particularly vulnerable to unauthorised access and it is important to maintain
security to prevent illegal fly tipping, occupation by travelling communities,
trespassing or off road motorcycling.
No homes to be built on the site of RAF Locking (September 2006)
(Weston and Somerset Mercury)
It is expected that
North Somerset Council
will adopt a policy of 'no more
big housing schemes' anywhere in the Weston area until 2011. This puts a
firm block on plans for major housing projects on RAF Locking and Weston
Airfield as well as anywhere else in the area.
North Somerset Council's - 'Weston Vision' (April 2005)
"The council recognises that the development and regeneration of Weston is dependent, not only on economic investment, but social regeneration, the investment in communities and in the local infrastructure".
Actions planned for 2005/06 include:
"Work with partners to draw up detailed plans for the RAF Locking site and West
Wick".
(Weston and Somerset Mercury)
The location of a Hollywood-style film studio, the Full Picture Company, planned
for the South West should be known by the end of August 2005. Speculation has
been growing that the disused RAF Locking site in Weston is earmarked for the
project. But the company behind the project, would only confirm that four areas
in the region are being considered.
RAF Locking Open Day on 21st August 2004 - Five years after closure!
Web
reference
(South West RDA)
The open day was organised by the new owners of RAF Locking - the South West
Regional Development Agency (South West RDA) and national development agency,
English Partnerships with support from North Somerset Council, Locking Parish
Council and the Locking Moor Residents Association. Any interested party could
attend to view the site and consider plans for developing the site. See the
North Somerset Councils
press release for details.
RAF Locking's 'Tribute Trees' saved from the axe - Weston Mercury July 2004
Historic trees on RAF Locking have been saved from destruction, for now!
The South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) have objected to preservation orders to legally protect trees on the site of RAF Locking. At least 15 trees were planted in memory of former airmen or their families, or to mark special occasions such as royal visits. Despite objections North Somerset Council's south area committee went ahead and placed orders on 19 individual and 14 groups of trees.
Stay of Execution for RAF Locking's Church - Weston Mercury July 2004
The church at RAF Locking has won a stay of execution, for the time being at least.
English Partnerships and the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA), which own the former RAF Camp, had announced plans to demolish the church, one of the few buildings still standing. The SWRDA has agreed not to demolish the building until it has finalised the master plan for the whole of the RAF Locking site and until it has had discussions with the Locking parish council to see if the building can be used for alternative purposes.
Weston Mercury (Extract) Jan 2004
A battle between councillors and Government agencies looks set to erupt over plans to build houses on the former RAF Locking camp.
The South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) and English Partnerships have confirmed they will use the 81-hectare site to create hundreds of homes and jobs once demolition work finishes in the next few months. But residents and parish councillors are outraged the development will include houses and have vowed not to be bullied by large agencies. Councillor Elfan Rees said: "When we met with SWRDA and English Partnerships representatives they said the camp would be split 50-50 for employment and housing.
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Autumn/Winter 2003 - The majority of buildings on the site of RAF Locking are demolished |
Local Press Autumn 2003
The former RAF camp was bought by the Regional Development Agency (RDA) and English Partnerships last April.
During the last two years some of the houses once used as homes for those stationed at the camp were sold off by housing firm Annington Point.
The RDA's development manager for the former Avon area, Chris Foley, told a meeting of Locking Parish Council last September the land would eventually have a mixed use. Business and community uses have been included, but some housing has not been ruled out.
It is unlikely many of the existing buildings will be reused as reconditioning them could cost more than demolishing them and starting from scratch.
At the meeting Mr Foley said: "There is no good reason why, in something like 18 months to two years' time, planning permission may be being applied for."
North Somerset Council's Plan for the Regeneration of RAF Locking (Policy E/3) (July 2003)
Extract: "Framework Area A: Regeneration of RAF Locking Base for employment led inward investment With the former previously developed RAF Locking at its core, the intention over the Plan period is to achieve business-led regeneration on the RAF base comprising 40 hectares of employment land at 30% site coverage providing at least 120,000 sq.m. of floorspace. A central feature of the development should be a spacious campus-style, structured landscape development linked by a spine of new development pushing north to West Wick which retains and respects the character and integrity of the existing village communities of Locking and Hutton. In the longer term once the business-led inward development has become established, and if needed, the area could also become the focus for further comprehensive mixed use development comprising residential, leisure and community uses and other support services".
Extract from Hutton and Locking political newsletter (Conservative)
Councillors are concerned for the long term future of the former RAF Locking as demolition is already under way. Our concern is with English Partnership who have done nothing to dispel the rumour that 2,500 houses are to built on the land. Local counsellors are committed to ensuring the land is used for employment.
RAF Locking Purchased 2002
RAF Locking was purchased in 2002 as a £10 million joint venture between the South West Regional Development Agency and English Partnerships.
Press Extract September 1999
Civic leaders in North Somerset are
to press the Government to bring the Army to the threatened RAF Locking base
near Weston-super-Mare. “RAF Locking has always made an enormous contribution to
the local community and I sincerely hope the Government takes the sensible route
and use an existing camp rather than the more expensive option of a completely
new site in Scotland,” said Councillor Barry Walters, Leader of North Somerset
Council.
“I am pleased that all political parties have joined together to try and secure
the future of this site for the maximum benefit of local people,” said Brian
Cotter MP. “The camp provides local jobs and is very much part of the
community”.
Parliamentary Announcement of RAF Locking Closure
Mr. Devlin: To ask the Secretary of State for
Defence what plans he has for the future of ground training in the Royal Air
Force. [25563]
Mr. Soames: Following issue of the consultative document on 22 March 1995
recommending the closure of RAF Locking and the transfer of its training task to
RAF Cosford, representations have been made by the hon. Member for
Weston-super-Mare (Sir J. Wiggin), and local authorities. My Department has
consulted thoroughly with the trade unions and relevant local authorities, and
full and careful consideration has been given to all of the representations that
we have received.
Following this work I am satisfied that no issues have been raised which call
into question the viability of the proposals, which satisfactorily meet our
future ground training needs and save £6,000, 000 per annum. I have therefore
decided that RAF Locking should close by1 April 1998.
We will, of course, continue to consult the trade unions about the detailed
implementation of the closure and transfer of work to RAF Cosford.