Workshop organisers blog about Woodford Aerodrome consultation meetings

By Steven Oldham & Stuart Lewis

The future plans for Woodford Aerodrome are being documented in an online blog by the organisers of a series of public workshops in Stockport this week.

Design company Taylor Young have been keeping the public informed by using their Wordpress account, with various staff members, including Urban Designer Gareth Sumner.

“We saw a blog as an ideal way of reaching a much wider audience than would otherwise be possible,” he said.

This wider audience includes those unable to attend the workshops but who still have an interest in the redevelopment of the 500-acre BAE Systems site, which straddles the Stockport Council border with Cheshire East.

Gareth told us that the blog has been enthusiastically received.

He said: “We have a had a great reaction from various members of the council, the public and those attending the sessions.”

The inclusion of photos and the blog’s chatty style have been reasons for praise.

As well as Gareth, Landscape Architect Becky Mather and Associate Director Andrew Clarke blogged from the three workshops.

“Blogging has been great fun and something everyone involved has enjoyed doing,” said Gareth, before adding, “We had a different member of the team doing each blog to give a balanced view and let our personalities shine through.”

Gareth told us that the consultations have thrown up an enormous amount of suggestions for the site and the general consensus is that there should be new housing, businesses and a large area for green space should be set aside.

Ian Harrison, Regeneration Manager for Stockport Council said: “Over 1,000 people turned up to the initial public exhibition three weeks ago so there is obviously big interest.”

He added: “We’re looking for communities and residents groups to lead the consultations to tell us what they want for the future of the site.”

The Nimrod fleet assembled at BAE Systems Woodford were scrapped earlier this year after the Government cancelled the project, leading to the closure of the site, which has been operational since 1924.

Taylor Young are holding a summary session on Saturday 17^th June at Woodford Community Centre on Chester Road between 12pm and 2pm.

To see the blog, and view ideas put forward in more detail, visit woodfordaerodromedesignworkshop.wordpress.com