Green light for new hangar development
Charity, the Vulcan to the Sky Trust, has secured planning permission for a new Heritage Hangar and Visitor Centre on the northern perimeter of Doncaster Sheffield Airport.
The new centre will house the Avro Vulcan XH558, the last aircraft of Britain’s mighty V-Force that ceased flying in 2015. Around £3m needs to be raised to complete the project.
Initial planning application and project consultancy was undertaken by RG Group, working in partnership with Hadfield Cawkwell Davidson and Wordsworth Construction Services. The project is spearheaded by the RG Group’s Doncaster office, under the supervision of director Dave Dixon.
Dixon has been driving forward with the support of local and national construction companies and suppliers, many of whom are offering materials and expertise at cost or below usual commercial rates to help the charity secure its new home.
Robert Pleming, of the trust, said: “The full approval comes with a few standard conditions for further surveys and environmental reports that do not present any concerns to our appointed agents.
“This is a fundamental milestone passed, with vital element of full funding for the build now to achieve. We are talking with a number of interested potential individual investors with regard to raising the total of £3m needed to complete the project, with the hope of concluding negotiations by the spring.
“Our business model is well-tested and will deliver an educational and inspirational experience for over 6 million people within a one-hour driving distance. It is believed that the detailed internal design and construction can be completed within 12 months, enabling a spring 2019 opening date.”
Dixon added: “As a local company with national reach, RG Group has been involved right from initial client briefs, through design concepts and budgeting, to the final planning submission and are delighted to be in a position to manage the next exciting chapter of securing a new home for the iconic Vulcan aircraft. XH558 is somewhat of a celebrity in these parts and has a supporter base all over the country.
Chief executive of Doncaster Sheffield Airpot, Steve Gill, added: “This new development to house the Vulcan can provide a truly outstanding visitor attraction that along with other developments we are aiming to realise for the airport site, will bring significant educational and tourism benefits to the immediate area.”
“We look forward to working with the Vulcan team on making their vision a reality.”
Pleming said: “This is the first stage of an exciting plan the Trust is developing for 2018 and over the next 10 years. We will use the undoubted attraction of Vulcan XH558 for the benefit of all, and importantly future generations, both in what we can deliver now in terms of inspirational experiences, and on what we can promise through demonstrating, preserving and utilising examples of Britain’s valuable aeronautical and engineering achievements.”
