Concorde plans take off

12:37pm Monday 16th July 2007

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PLANS for a permanent home for Concorde 216 are about to take another step forward.

The supersonic airliner- the last to be built at Filton - has been parked on a corner of Filton Airfield since 2003 when it made its poignant last journey home Now a planning application is set to be lodged with South Gloucestershire development chiefs for a Concorde centre and aviation museum at Cribbs Causeway on a site to the south of The Mall and to the north of Filton runway.

Funding for the estimated £12 million centre will be raised through grants, sponsorship and support from businesses.

The plans are being submitted by site owners JT Baylis Land Development Partnerships, the main landowner within the Cribbs Causeway developent area.

Planning agent Jo Davis said: "The Partnership will be seeking to submit an outline planning application in August to establish the principle of developing the site for an aviation museum and business units."

Backers say that as well as providing an all-weather opportunity for the public to see Concorde 216 , the new centre could offer a unique venue for special events.

Oliver Dearden, chairman of the Concorde Trust - the charity set up to progress the scheme - said: "A lot of work has been going on behind the scenes and it will all come together in about two months times when the outline application is submitted."

As well as the land owners, supporters of the scheme include Airbus UK, At-Bristol, Atkins, Bristol Aero Collection, Bristol International Airport, British Airways, Rolls-Royce and The Mall.

Concorde 216 has more historical significance than any other Concorde - not only the final aircraft to be built but also making the final flight of any Concorde in the world, the final supersonic flight and the final Concorde landing.