CHC helicopters who could be flying from Norwich Airport. Picture from their website
Great Yarmouth Heliport closure plans put on hold
by JOHN OWENS
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
6:19 PM
A REPRIEVE granted to Great Yarmouth’s heliport has been labelled a “big opportunity” for the borough after plans to close it were put on hold.
In November, CHC Helicopter- formerly CHC Scotia Limited- announced plans to shut its North Denes site downin May to move its offshore operations to Norwich International Airport.
The news was met with consternation by many in Yarmouth, who pointed to the 30,000 people who used the Caister Road terminal each year to reach rigs in the North Sea and its drip-down boost for the local economy.
However today CHC Helicopter said that “under current market conditions” the plan to move was not viable at the current time, and would be put on hold.
Among those greeting the decision with enthusiasm was Great Yarmouth Borough Council leader Barry Coleman, who labelled it “excellent news”.
He described the heliport as “symbolic” of Great Yarmouth’s employment for the future and its hopes for offshore and future renewable development.
He said: “We realise they’ve not made a full decision yet but it’s a very important development.
“There’s a big opportunity here. Obviously they’ve reconsidered their options and Yarmouth has not been discounted.”
Under the plans, the heliport’s 74 staff were told they would be given the chance to relocate. CHC Helicopter had previously pointed to the need to invest heavily in new facilities for the site, which has been in use since the 70s.
The proposed headquarters in Norwich, separate from existing facilities, were to be in Saxonair and Klyne Aviation buildings currently under construction.
Mr Coleman emphasised that a lot of work had previously gone on behind the scenes involving the council to make the case for them staying here “though whether that had a part in the decision I don’t know”.
He added that as soon as the news had emerged officers from the council had got in contact with CHC Helicopter to offer assistance, short of anything financial.
“There are hotels and guests houses here that benefit, as well as taxis, and it goes right through the supply chain”.
Commenting on the decision, CHC’s vice president of operations Nick Mair said: “While the proposed move would have represented a significant investment for the company allied to a potentially long term commitment to Norwich, given current market conditions, the solution for CHC is to remain at our present location at North Denes.
“Naturally it is disappointing that we cannot continue with the move at this time and, as an organisation, we remain confident that a move to Norwich would be a positive one, provided it is undertaken at the right time and under the correct market conditions.
“However, we believe now is not that time, hence the decision to end any speculation by confirming the status quo will continue for the time being and that it is very much business as usual for North Denes.”
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7 comments
Keith you are so right, the Nimbys strike again with stupid comments. Residents have prevented the heliport developing, they seem to forget the amount of prosperity and work that has been bought into the area by the so called inefficient helicopters. Kempster obviously objects to a bit of noise, well I wouldn't mind betting the heliport was there before he was. Typical attitude, move close to something and then complain, they fly over my house every morning at 07:00 and have done for many years, I treat it as my wake up alarm and time for a cuppa. Wonder if Kempster is bust complaining about the massive development taking place on the by pass which is another eye sore.... Yes the facilities at Caister need upgrading but then again so do a lot of other places of work. It is suitable for what it is intended for, it serves a purpose and the people of GY very well, and has done for many years. Stop complaining and go back into your caves if you do not like development. Mind you, if it had moved to Norwich the field would have been great for building a wind farm..... something else the Nimbys would ahve complained about...
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Mr T
Saturday, March 26, 2011
nice to see the concil getting it right it means that there are fewer helicopterts flying over my house at 6 am on wards when im trying to go to bed
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keith smith
Friday, March 25, 2011
Hahaha NIMBYs strike again. The people of Yarmouth should realise that people like Kempster are the ones that have prevented any development of their Town and also prevented many of them having jobs. He is alright of course, they always are.
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keith gerrard
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Governments and councils harp on about being green yet think it's ok for 30,000 people to fly an extra 20-30 miles in very inefficient helicopters. Plus an area of oustanding beauty is marred by these horrible things flying over at 7am every bloody morning. Yarmouth councillors need a rocket under their backsides if they can't understand why this heliport needs investment.
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Kempster
Thursday, March 24, 2011
If anything in Yarmouth needs upgradeing to improve the tourist industry and put the Town into a different level of potential, North Denes does. A muddy field with a few huts. It is a joke and no surprise companies wish to move to Norwich into privately run premises. Will Yarmouth ever get decent councilors?
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keith gerrard
Thursday, March 24, 2011
A REPRIEVE granted to Great Yarmouth’s heliport has been labelled a “big opportunity” for the borough after plans to close it were put on hold._______Among those greeting the decision with enthusiasm was Great Yarmouth Borough Council leader Barry Coleman, who labelled it “excellent news”.______IDIOTS. They have only deferred it. They will still be moving to Norwich where there are far better facilities, only not yet._____Typical Yarmouth Council hysteria
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Karl Hunter
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Such a shame that Grt Yarmouth council did not invest in developing the North Denes facility into a proper airfieldairport decades ago instead of the silly harbour complex. Mind you if they are the same as Norwich no doubt they would then sell it off to foreigners like they did with theirs.
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keith gerrard
Thursday, March 24, 2011