Patrick Cormack

Wolverhampton Business Airport Expansion

Press Release: 22nd November 2002

Press Release: 26th March 2003

BBC News Online: Anger at airport plans

Press Release: 9th May 2003

BBC News Online: New status for anti-airport group

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Wolverhampton Business Airport

Sir Patrick Cormack, Member of Parliament for South Staffordshire, in whose constituency the Wolverhampton Business Airport is situated, today expressed his strong opposition to the Airport's plans for massive expansion.

Sir Patrick said "I read that the owners of Wolverhampton Business Airport wish to employ a thousand people and to service vast numbers of passengers. Whilst I can understand their desire to expand their business I have to say to them that Bobbington, in the heart of one of the most beautiful parts of Staffordshire, is not a suitable place for this sort of development. What they have in mind would totally destroy this lovely and peaceful part of our County. The country lanes would have to become major roads. The noise of the planes would shatter the rural peace. This is just not on and I am implacably opposed to development on this scale".

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Wolverhampton Business Airport

Sir Patrick Cormack, Member of Parliament for South Staffordshire, urged his constituents against premature rejoicing at the suggestions that plans for massive expansion at Wolverhampton Business Airport had been withdrawn.

Sir Patrick said today "No one would be happier than me to hear confirmation that those who own the airport no longer have any plans for massive expansion but my understanding is that all they have done for the moment is withdraw a specific planning application. Those who remain concerned at the devastating effect an airport catering for millions of passengers would have on the countryside and quality of life in South Staffordshire and Shropshire and the surrounding area should remain vigilant".

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BBC News Online: Anger at airport plans

Opposition is mounting to the planned expansion of Wolverhampton Business Airport.

Its owners hope to handle as many as 8m passengers each year by putting on budget holiday flights to other British airports.

But people living under the flight path of the airport, which is seven miles south-west of Wolverhampton near the Staffordshire-Shropshire border, are being urged to join forces to oppose the planned expansion.

The Wolverhampton Airport Action Group (WAAG), based in Kinver, near Stourbridge in the West Midlands, is asking locals to attend a meeting in on Friday night.

It is being held at the Community Centre in Wombourne, Staffordshire.

Gordon Drury, a spokesman for WAAG, said any expansion would reduce the quality of life for people living near the airport, a former RAF base.

"Our main concerns are that any expansion of the aerodrome big or small affects the area - the number of people it brings through, there isn't sufficient parking for cars."

Nigel Addison, newly-elected Wyre Forest councillor for Wolverley in Worcestershire, said many parts of the district, including Wolverley, Cookley and Bewdley, would be in the flight path of the airport.

"I am concerned that not enough information has been given to Wyre Forest people.

"Many do not realise that the proposals for the airport include aspirations for it to handle as many as 8m passengers a year.

"Anyone who has friends living within 20 miles of any major UK airport will know what disruption they can cause.

"We must act now before it is too late."

He also called upon people to attend Friday's meeting, which starts at 1930 BST.

MP Sir Patrick Cormack, who represents the South Staffordshire constituency, and Debra Shipley, the MP for Stourbridge, will both speak at the meeting.

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Wolverhampton Business Airport

Sir Patrick Cormack, Member of Parliament for South Staffordshire, will today be joined by political neighbours and opponents when Debra Shipley, Labour MP for Stourbridge and Matthew Green, Liberal Democrat MP for Ludlow, support him at a public meeting in Wombourne to oppose the expansion of Wolverhampton Business Airport.

Sir Patrick said "The expansionist plans of those who wish to see the so-called Wolverhampton Business Airport become a major cheap flight passenger airport pose a devastating threat to the people of South Staffordshire, Shropshire and the Stourbridge area. I am delighted that my parliamentary colleagues are joining me to underline the strong cross party opposition to these appalling proposals. It would be a grotesque irony if the beauty and peace of this part of the world were destroyed forever so that people could take cheap flights to enjoy the beauties and attractions of France, Spain and Italy".

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BBC News Online: New status for anti-airport group

Campaigners fighting to block multi-million pound expansion plans for Wolverhampton Business Airport say they are prepared to take their battle to court.

Members of Wolverhampton Action Airport Group (WAAG) have this week had a written constitution approved by solicitors.

The document means the voluntary group is now an official organisation that can take legal action as a recognised body.

It means that any attempt to expand the airport could be blocked or held up for years in the courts.

The airport's owners hope to handle as many as eight million passengers each year by putting on budget holiday flights.

There are fears among villagers living near the site at Halfpenny Green, Bobbington, Staffordshire, that the planned expansion would create an airport to rival Birmingham International.

The plans have been met with anger from people living in four counties - Shropshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire and the West Midlands.

Gordon Drury, chairman of the Claverley branch of WAAG, said it is an important step for the group.

"Having a constitution means we can take legal action as an official body in our own right.

"If we are forced to go to court to fight any plans, we will."

Protesters from Claverley, Bobbington, Wombourne, Kinver and other villages and towns nearby have already begun action to block the plans, which they feel will ruin their quality of life.

Around 1,000 people attended a protest meeting in Wombourne last weekend and up to 8,000 people are expected to encircle the airport at midday on 29 June.

The demonstration will take place the day before final submissions must be handed in to the government by the airport's owners.

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