| Edited
reports from East
Anglian Daily Times
The Sale of Bentwaters Air Base EXCLUSIVE
by Richard Smith, EADT - 18 December
Air Base Buyer Backed Failed Bid
Former financial backer of Chris Parker Group's
failed bid heads new buyers
- |
Tony Hunt dropped his involvement
with Chris Parker Group in 1996 - now he is MD of Bentwaters
Investments Ltd. (BIL). |
- |
BIL has paid a large deposit
and exchanged contracts with the MoD. |
- |
Another director is John
Masters of Liston Hall, Liston, near Sudbury - he was
appointed on 3 December 1996. |
- |
Company Secretary is Neil
Geoffrey Gordon of Chiswick, London - also appointed on
3 December 1996. |
- |
Pat Benson says he is site
manager for the project. |
- |
Contract is conditional on
SCDC's consent to the MoD's planning application. |
Richard Smith, EADT - 14 December
They think it's all over!
Was it really "third time lucky" on Friday
13th?
| - |
The Ministry of Defence announced
that it has exchanged contracts with Bentwaters Investments
Ltd. |
| - |
Whitehall has not released
any details about the firm. |
| - |
Rendlesham Parish Council
chairman Michael Bunbury said "...Let's hope it is
a buyer of substance." |
| - |
The contract is conditional
upon consent being granted for the planning application. |
| - |
Plans include a new village
with 500 homes, shops, community facilities, employment
park, gun club, forestry areas, retention of the hardened
air shelters for the possible storage of archive material. |
| - |
Plans do NOT include an airport
but defence officials want to leave 1,720 metres of runway
and only remove 950 metres. |
Richard Smith, EADT - 9 December
Local Firm's Plan includes Airport
Three Thousand Jobs Expected
| - |
Suffolk company, Lanson Group
is offering less than 1 Million Pounds for Bentwaters
Air Base. |
| - |
The airfield would be operated
by Poplar Aviation Ltd., which has been based in the Ipswich
region for 20 years. |
| - |
Poplar want to set up a business
airport with Cessna planes of less than 21 seats, flying
to Rotterdam, Antwerp, Northern Ireland, Scotland and
other countries. |
| - |
They will use 1,500m of the
existing runway, the rest of the runway will remain. There
will be the possibility of recreational flying. |
| - |
Lanson's plan includes a
village square, school, sports centre, pub, doctors' surgery,
dental practice, Suffolk ACRE offices, private nursery,
community toddler group, shops, playing fields and offices. |
| - |
Plans for the 1,000 acre
technical site includes the new airport, associated facilities,
Christmas tree production, outdoor roller skating park,
light industries inside the air shelters which are too
costly to demolish. |
| - |
Lanson expect to create 500
jobs in year one, and up to 3,000 within three years. |
Richard Smith EXCLUSIVE, EADT - 11 November
MoD Plan for Village at Base
| - |
More than 2,000 jobs could
be created at Bentwaters air base. |
| - |
MoD has applied for planning
permission from SCDC to create a new village. |
| - |
30,000 square metre employment
park, gun club, 500+ homes, shops, community facilities,
forestry. |
| - |
Also planned: school, pub,
doctors' surgery, fitness centre, community centre, footpaths,
cycleways. |
| - |
The hardened air shelters
would be retained for the storage of archive material. |
| - |
Plan requests 1,720 metres
of the existing runway to be left, only 950 removed. |
| - |
The eventual owner could
set up an airport but this would have to be done within
five years, after which the airfield option would expire. |
| - |
The reduced runway removal
would reduce construction traffic in Eyke and Melton. |
| - |
If approved, this makes the
site more saleable but the purchaser could seek permission
for other facilities. |
| - |
Council planning director
Jeremy Schofield said "This application would appear
to be much closer to the planning brief than that of the
Chris Parker Group." |
| - |
The plan should be discussed
by the planning committee in February 1997. |
| - |
The MoD expect to announce
in December, if it has chosen a potential purchaser. |
Richard Smith, EADT - 11 November
Airport for Bentwaters
| - |
CITI Holdings wants to build
a new airport to replace Ipswich airport. |
| - |
Plan to build a university,
set up Bentwaters Business Air Park for high-tech businesses,
aviation museum. |
| - |
Plan should create 1,000 jobs. |
| - |
MoD is under pressure to achieve
a quick sale. |
| - |
Bids must be in by 29 November
and be accompanied by 10% of the price. |
| - |
Unsuccessful bidders will have
their deposit returned by 13 December. |
| - |
Largest aircraft using the airport
would be Learjets and quiet 4-engined BAe 146s. |
| - |
MoD expressed a desire for development
plans to include some flying. |
| - |
CITI spokesman Liz Harlaar:
"The plans are broadly similar with those announced
earlier." |
Richard Smith, EADT - 26 October
Bentwaters may be used for flying
| - |
Flying could return to Bentwaters
if the MoD plans are approved. |
| - |
A full-scale airport or freight
operation is not planned. |
| - |
MoD will submit plans to SCDC
in November. |
| - |
Plans will be similar to the
failed Chris Parker Group. |
| - |
The SCDC will consider the MoD
plans early in 1997. |
| - |
Part of the runway would be
kept for light aircraft. |
| - |
Bidwells, handling the sale
for the MoD - sent out information packs. |
Richard Smith, EADT - 11 October
Air base plea to Portillo
Issue raised at Tory Party Conference
| - |
Defence secretary Michael Portillo
urged to make a quick decision on Bentwaters. |
| - |
Stephen Castle spoke from the
floor of the Tory Party conference at Bournemouth. |
| - |
Mr Castle said Bentwaters site
of immense potential - early decision is vital. |
| - |
Bidwells, handling the sale,
expect to send out revised information packs next week. |
| - |
A veil of secrecy has been thrown
over the MoD's negotiations. |
| - |
The MoD will submit a planning
application, making it easier for an applicant to buy it,
but it will also raise the price. |
EADT - 26 September
Parker Group want MoD Decision
SCDC Reject MP's Allegation
| - |
CPG made a last-ditch appeal
to the MoD to let it buy the Bentwaters air base. |
| - |
Chris Parker said the MoD and
marketing agents Bidwells were given a guarantee that his
company had the funds to meet the asking price. |
| - |
"If the MoD turns us down,
then it does not want us to buy the base. There is no reduction
on the price and we are not trying to cut corners,"
said Mr Parker. |
| - |
He and his financial backers
want a quick decision. The MoD is unlikely to make a speedy
decision, as it says the base is back on the market. |
| - |
Suffolk Coastal District Council
is seeking an urgent meeting to discuss the base's future,
with Earl Howe, defence under-secretary of state. |
| - |
SCDC reacted angrily to MP John
Gummer's allegation that its slow planning decision was
partly responsible for the deal's collapse. |
| - |
Spokeswoman said the council
had worked within a timescale agreed with the MoD, the MoD
had not criticised the planning process, or said that it
delayed or damaged Chris Parker's bid for the base. |
| - |
Council leader Christine Block
said: "...far too serious to allow the issue to sink
to the level of party political mud slinging..." |
| - |
MP Gummer meets the council
on 5 October, a week after he tours Rendlesham to meet residents. |
EADT - 25 September - Richard Smith
MP criticises Council
| - |
Suffolk Coastal MP John Gummer
(Conservative) blamed the (Labour and Liberal Democrat)
district council's lengthy planning process for the collapse
of another deal to sell the Bentwaters air base. |
| - |
Chris Parker warned that his
company could "go bust" if it loses the deal,
having spent over 1 million pounds in two years, on surveys
and other preparatory work. |
Richard Smith, EADT - 24 September
New Bentwaters Rumours
| - |
Suffolk Coastal District Council
may sell it's Melton Road site for millions of pounds. |
| - |
Rumoured to be considering moving
to the previous Mission Support building on the Bentwaters
domestic site. |
| - |
Woodbridge traders are worried
about the loss of 300+ people, many of whom are their customers. |
| - |
SCDC leader Christine Block
played down any possible move. |
EADT - 23 September
CPG 'gazumped' claim
| - |
Chris Parker claims that one
of his backers has withdrawn from his consortium and entered
a higher bid, with a plan which retains the airfield. |
| - |
Mr. Parker said "...the
CPG is not full of bull," adding that CPG are "...putting
a substantial down payment with a bank guarantee..." |
| - |
Those close to the negotiations
believe CPG has had long enough to finance the deal and
the MoD should consider other offers. |
| - |
The MoD is applying for planning
permission for a scheme similar to CPG but with more homes,
community and leisure facilities. |
Richard Smith, EADT - 21 September
MoD under fire
Accusation of forcing up price
| - |
The MoD has lost patience over
the lengthy financial wrangles and is now open to new offers,
but says it will reconsider the CPG bid. |
| - |
The MoD is under pressure to
explain its decision to stop dealing with the Chris Parker
Group over the Bentwaters sale. |
| - |
Suffolk Preservation Society
attacked the MoD for opening the bidding for the third time
in two years. |
| - |
The society accused the MoD
of trying to force up the price. |
Richard Smith, EADT - 20 September
'We have the cash to buy Bentwaters'
Chris Parker Group bid not over
| - |
CPG failed to provide the funds
required by the completion date. |
| - |
Last night the MoD stood by
its decision to put the base back on the open market. |
| - |
A group of London businessmen
are increasing pressure on the Government to scrap Heathrow
Terminal 5. |
| - |
Richard Moir gained support
to turn Bentwaters into an international freight depot. |
Richard Smith, EADT - 19 September
PARKER: I'M NOT BEATEN
| - |
Chris Parker claimed that the
sale is on. "...we have agreed terms with a funder..." |
| - |
But it is believed that CPG
is being sued for about £4000 for unpaid survey fees. |
| - |
An MoD spokesman said "...
the company's revised proposals... unacceptable... we were
unable to complete the deal..." |
| - |
The MoD spokesman added "We
are putting the site back on the open market..." |
Richard Smith, EADT - 18 September
WHAT NOW?
Uncertainty as sale collapses
| - |
The deal between Chris Parker
Group and the Ministry of Defence is off! |
| - |
Speculation about a collapse
of the CPG deal began a few weeks ago. |
| - |
Concern centred on CPG's ability
to raise the 16+ million pounds. |
| - |
A glimmer of hope emerged last
night - CITI Holdings may step in and re-activate their
plans to create a University of Suffolk. |
| - |
CITI Holdings want to
| - |
keep the runway for active
use |
| - |
move the soon-to-close
Ipswich airport to Bentwaters |
| - |
add aviation and other
high-tech business |
| - |
set up the Bentwaters
Business Air Park. |
|
EADT - 12 September
Developer on verge of Bentwaters deal
| - |
Director Chris Parker said the
CPG and the MoD expect to conclude the negotiations shortly
but there is still no definite date for completion of the
deal. |
| - |
CPG will close for a week to
mourn the sudden death of Mr Parker’s mother-in-law. |
EADT - 3 September
'No asset-stripping' promise
| - |
The prospective new owner of
the Bentwaters air base is appalled at the scaremongering
to discredit the company and stop it buying the base. |
| - |
Chris Parker said: "We
have never worked ... where there is such back-stabbing
... not got the guts to say anything to our face."
"An awful lot of it stems from people who know councillors
and there is a lot of hostility..." There are still
people lobbying to keep the runway and use it as an airport. |
| - |
Mr. Parker said there is no
hidden agenda, there will be no asset-stripping. |
| - |
Chris Parker Group is expected
to be confirmed as the new owner of the base, within ten
days. |
EADT - 24 August
Hundreds expect jobs bonanza at Bentwaters
| - |
Chris Parker says job opportunities
are less than originally forecast because the Council objected
to a 550-chalet leisure park. |
| - |
There are about 1,400 unemployed
in the Woodbridge/Leiston area - under 5% of the workforce,
compared with a 7.6% national average. |
EADT - 3 August
Part of base could be camp site for
travellers
| - |
AN OFFICIAL request has been
made to turn part of the former Bentwaters air base into
a permanent site for new age travellers. |
| - |
Director Chris Parker said the
company had not responded to the request, adding that he
did not approve of the travellers' lifestyle and it is unlikely
a camp will be started. |
| - |
The company hopes to sign the
section 106 agreement on Tuesday 6 August. |
| - |
The agreement states that the
runway will be taken up and Mr. Parker says there is no
possibility of the base being used as a cargo freight terminal
to ease congestion at Heathrow airport. |
| - |
Removing the runway should start
by the end of September; it is expected to take 4 years
to remove the rubble, via Eyke. |
EN - 2 August
About Turn?
| - |
THE GOVERNMENT could be asked
to turn Bentwaters air base into an international freight
depot |
| - |
Businessmen in London are preparing
to drum up support to stop the demolition of the runway. |
| - |
Chris Parker Group has still
not officially bought the air base. |
| - |
Agreement cannot be reached
on the section 106 legal agreement |
| - |
CPG will not complete the £16m-plus
deal if it cannot resolve the differences over the legal
agreement. |
| - |
Richard Moir, of the London
Chamber of Commerce, says that Bentwaters has excellent
flying facilities which should not be wasted. |
BBC - 2 August
| - |
Chris Parker expected conclusion
on the section 106 "probably today." |
| - |
He could see no reason for CPG's
plans to go ahead as stated. |
EADT - 23 July
Backwards step for Bentwaters
| - |
The sale of the air base has
taken a step backwards. Problem centres on section 106 legal
agreement between CPG and SCDC. |
| - |
The agreement covers road improvements,
public transport subsidy, demolition traffic movements,
education, playing fields, community centre, sports and
community facilities, public footpaths, landscaping, etc. |
EADT - 6 July
Base to undergo more radiation tests
| - |
There are still concerns over
potential health risks, despite reassurances from the Ministry
of Defence. |
| - |
Attention is to be paid to radiation,
asbestos or other contaminated material. |
| - |
CPG surveyed hydrocarbon or
solvent contamination - no evidence of widespread contamination
was found. |
| - |
The greatest worry is if nuclear
weapons were stored at Bentwaters, but the MoD does not
release that information. |
EADT - 5 July
Saga of Bentwaters ends in celebration
4th of July marked the dawn of a new era in East Suffolk. Planners
have approved redevelopment of the empty Bentwaters air base,
creating a village of 1,200 homes with more than 3,000 residents.
THE PLANS
Domestic Site:
| - |
535 new homes, a primary school,
pub and restaurant. |
| - |
Terrace of eight shops with
residential flats and/or offices above. |
| - |
Doctor’s surgery and clinic. |
| - |
Two-storey shop with flats or
offices above, a large shop. |
| - |
gym and indoor sports centre,
offices and community centre. |
| - |
The Leiston Mews flats and 68
homes in Suffolk Drive are on the open market and most are
on the verge of being sold. |
| - |
Demolition of various buildings,
improvement of existing roads, footpaths and services. |
| - |
Creation of car parking, public
open spaces and landscaping. |
Technical Site:
| - |
Hardened air shelters are scheduled
for demolition. |
| - |
Runway and surplus redundant
buildings will be demolished. |
| - |
Replacing them will be nearly
30,000 sq. metres of industrial space, equestrian centre,
18-hole golf course and driving range. |
| - |
Gun club, three lakes for non-motorised
sports, game and coarse fishing. |
| - |
Wildlife country park and forest. |
Legal agreements to govern developments:
| - |
Transport:
| - |
Traffic calming in Eyke
by 1 April 1997 |
| - |
Improvements at Melton
crossroads by 1 April 2001 |
| - |
CPG provide a subsidy
fund of 200,000 pounds for five years for a bus service |
| - |
Demolition traffic movements
limited to 35 each way per day, less on Saturdays,
none on Sundays or Bank Holidays. |
|
| - |
Amenities:
| - |
At least eight acres will
be handed over to Rendlesham parish council for playing
fields. |
| - |
A community centre will
be provided. |
| - |
Public access must be
permitted to the sports centre. |
| - |
Public footpaths will
have to be provided around and within the technical
site. |
| - |
Strategic landscaping
for the technical site to implemented within two years. |
| - |
A plan is required with
details on landscape restoration and habitat creation. |
|
| - |
Clearance:
| - |
Demolition and clearance
of the technical base will be completed by 1 July
2001. |
| - |
Demolition and clearance
within the domestic site will be completed by 1 July
1997. |
| - |
Stockpiling of rubble
not to exceed 20,000 sq. metres and not extend beyond
1 July 2001. |
|
| - |
Jobs:
| - |
Subject to statutory limitations
and suitability, priority will be given to candidates
for jobs under Chris Parker Group control, to those
normally living in Woodbridge and Leiston job centre
areas. |
| - |
Job Centre will be kept
open until the end of the development or 1 July 2001. |
|
| - |
Water:
| - |
The Environment Agency
has to issue an abstraction licence before work starts
on construction of the lakes. |
|
EADT - 4 July
Decision expected today on Bentwaters
future
| - |
Planners meet to discuss proposals
today |
| - |
Councillors are poised to approve
the plans by the Chris Parker Group |
EADT - 3 July
Summarised Letter from Lib-Dem Councillor
Martin Wenyon
| - |
We need a commercial airport
in East Suffolk - what are the options?
| - |
Keep and improve Ipswich
Airport |
| - |
Close Ipswich Airport
and do not replace it |
| - |
Move it to Bentwaters
base |
| - |
Move it to Woodbridge
base |
| - |
Move it to a greenfield
site |
|
| - |
The obvious choice is a move
to Bentwaters. |
| - |
Why tear up one runway only
to establish another in a greenfield site. |
EADT - 15 June
MoD criticised over sale of Bentwaters
| - |
Junior minister Earl Howe said
“I am very confident that Bentwaters will soon become
a centre for a thriving environment.” (Note: this chap
is not named Earl, he is an Earl). |
| - |
Lord Bridges, of Orford, said
in the House of Lords: “My complaint is that the Defence
Ministry regarded sale at the highest prices as the determining
factor,” and called for an advisory organisation of
experts to ensure the development of Bentwaters goes smoothly. |
| - |
Lord Marlesford said “...it
is not necessarily the highest bidder that should receive
the reward of becoming the new owner.” |
| - |
Earl Howe said “At the
end we have a duty to obtain the best price for the tax-payer.” |
EADT - 14 June
FURY AS AIR BASE VERDICT DELAYED
| - |
Yesterday, the planning committee
did not make their decision! Angry villagers berated planners
for failing to give their final seal of approval. |
| - |
Planners support the CPG plan
but stopped short of giving full approval. They decided
to adjourn until 4 July, when they will make their final
decision. |
| - |
The council did ban the use
of lorry convoys taking material off the site, following
advice from police and the county council. |
| - |
The matter will be raised in
the House of Lords. |
EADT - 8 June
New Bentwaters plans 'look good'
| - |
Sale of former American air
base at Bentwaters is poised for take-off. |
| - |
550-chalet holiday park dropped
from the plans |
| - |
Chris Parker Group hopes to
buy the base by the end of July. |
| - |
More than 2,600 people signed
a petition supporting the redevelopment. |
| - |
100 people signed a petition
opposing a gun club. |
| - |
The council meet on Thursday
13 June at 09:30 at the Woodbridge council offices. |
| - |
Councillor Schofield said "Expenditure
in the local economy, new jobs, ..." outweigh the conflict
with planning policy. |
| - |
It was still reasonable to expect
it to take four years to clear the site. |
EADT - 25 May
Shop for ex-air base
| - |
A shop will open soon in community
centre which is on MoD-owned land, flanked by Watersfield
Park, Bentwaters Park and Rendlesham park housing estates,
which house more than 1,000 residents. |
| - |
Residents have been campaigning
for a footpath to link the three housing estates. |
EADT - 22 May
New CPG scheme fails to convince
| - |
Melton and Bromeswell councils
have voted against the revised plans (which now exclude
the 550 chalets) by the Chris Parker Group. |
| - |
Residents are still not happy
with the planned development of the 1000-acre site and have
submitted their views to Suffolk Coastal District Council
before final decision is made on 13 June. |
| - |
Link road to A12 needed - with
the 550 chalets omitted, anyone using the leisure facilities
must pass through Melton. |
EADT - 10 May
Decision in Turmoil
| - |
The sale air base was thrown
into turmoil last night as a new bidder revealed plans to
create 1,000 jobs with a university, airport and aviation
museum. |
| - |
The plans are being put forward
by the CITI Holding company. |
| - |
The plan: Bentwaters Business
Air Park - aviation and high tech businesses, an active
airfield, a university. |
| - |
The largest aircraft would be
corporate Learjets and BAe 146s. |
April
| - |
Suffolk Coastal District Council
rejected Chris Parker Group proposal which included a plan
to rip up the runway and replace the technical area with
a 550-chalet leisure park. |
March
| - |
Since 1995, the Chris Parker
Group plans have so far not been accepted by the local council. |
| - |
Work would cause heavy truck
traffic for four years, mostly through Eyke, Tunstall and
Melton. |
| - |
Suffolk Coastal district council
planners discuss CPG applications for the first time and
give some support. |
| - |
Originally, it looked as though
the Maharishi Foundation (the UK's Natural Party) were going
to set up a 'University' for Yogic Flying and their general
lifestyle. |
1995
| - |
December: Hundreds of Rendlesham
residents sign petition in favour of holiday chalet plans;
EU Regeneration funds earmarked for Rendlesham area. |
| - |
September: Maharishi Foundation
pull out of deal; Chris Parker Group signs contract with
MoD. |
| - |
August: MoD having talks with
other potential buyers. |
| - |
July: Suffolk Coastal MP John
Gummer hits out at delay of sale. |
| - |
June: Millennium Commission
turns down a 50 million pound appeal from Maharishi Foundation. |
| - |
March: Angry scenes in House
of Commons as Ipswich MP Jamie Cann questions sale to transcendental
meditation group; MoD pledges sale will go ahead. |
| - |
February: MoD accepts multi-million
pound offer by Maharishi Foundation. |
| - |
January: Third housing estate
opens by base; Doctors' surgery opened. |
1994
| - |
November: Bid to win 1 million
Government redevelopment prize for Rendlesham area fails. |
| - |
September: Closing date for
submissions from prospective buyers passes. |
| - |
June: Chartered surveyors Bidwells
start marketing the base and receive up to 1,000 enquiries. |
| - |
March: MoD says the base could
still be re-opened. |
1993
| - |
Dec: First residents move into
property adjacent to base. |
| - |
Oct: USAF hands over keys of
base to MoD and leaves. |
1991
| - |
Americans announce they will
pull out of Bentwaters |
|
