Businesses are struggling at an aerospace enterprise zone in the Vale of Glamorgan because of restrictions at a flagship site, one entrepreneur claims.

Sion Llewelyn set up Avalon Aviation at St Athan airfield to import and sell light aircraft.

But he claims restricted flying times are preventing firms from making the most of development opportunities.

Economy Minister Edwina Hart said plans were in place to address concerns.

Continue reading the main story
“
Start Quote

Businesses are finding it very difficult to get off the ground - mind the pun”

Sion Llewelyn
Avalon Aviation
The Cardiff Airport and St Athan zone is one of seven areas across Wales where businesses are offered incentives with the aim of generating jobs and boosting the economy.

Avalon Aviation was set up by Mr Llewelyn when the enterprise zone was established two years ago, assisted by a grant from the Welsh government.

But he claims that restricted flying times to and from the airfield pose a significant problem for aviation companies at the site.

"We're struggling, as are a number of the businesses struggling here, because of what seems to be an unhappy relationship between the traditional use of this airfield by the Ministry of Defence and the RAF and the attempt to bring in new life, new blood and its civilian use as an enterprise zone run by the Welsh government," he said.

"The airfield is still run by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the RAF and they will only operate Monday to Friday 0930 to 1630 - civil service office hours. The reality of business, of course, and especially aviation is that it's a seven day a week operation."

"Businesses are finding it very difficult to get off the ground - mind the pun," added Mr Llewelyn.

'Applauded'
"I think the government need to be applauded for their vision of creating an aviation enterprise zone but their ability to deliver that has to be questioned."

Continue reading the main story
“
Start Quote

We are absolutely committed to getting this right”

Edwina Hart
Economy Minister
Mrs Hart told assembly members on Thursday that flying hours at St Athan will be extended from next month.

Giving evidence to the enterprise committee she said a nine-to-five service would be available from Monday to Saturday with aircraft access in and out of the airfield on Sundays also available on request.

"We acknowledge there's been difficulty for the businesses there but I think we've also got to acknowledge that it is very difficult taking things through sometimes with the MoD which is a vast organisation in terms of the chain of command," the minister told AMs.

"We are absolutely committed to getting this right and hopefully now from April this will be got right and businesses will be very happy and we hope to attract other businesses."

Last October, First Minister Carwyn Jones said almost 2,000 jobs have been created across the seven enterprise zones, with a further 6,500 in the pipeline.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-26692669

That's nothing - read this!

 The People's Republic of Wales: Soaring NHS waiting lists, plummeting school standards, jobs for the boyos... but still Red Ed hails it as his blueprint for Britain 

Why are the 'ministers failing to deliver' ?

This seems like an MoD issue and not an Assembly issue so it's a bit of a misleading thread title (although I know the thread name has just been taken from the stupid Wales Online article).

Perhaps the ministers should have negotiated the terms of use with the MOD before declaring it an enterprise zone

It's being extended from next month apparently, but the article doesn't say if the businessman finds this acceptable or not, or what other issues he has with WAG. The story implies there are issues in businesses 'getting off the ground'. What are they ? Just the access ? If there are other issues why aren't they mentioned ?

It's a bit of a shit article really. Just a journalist filling some column inches with a half whinge about the government.

As shit as WAG can be, and likewise government departments such as the MoD a private business really should do its research properly before opening up somewhere. How didn't he know what the flight restrictions were ? If he knew and thought they'd be resolved quickly why did he thing an organisation such as the MoD would get things changed quickly, that an organisation as slow as the Assembly Government would resolve any issue quickly. It's just how the public sector is in the UK. It's shit, but you've got to take that into account if you want help from them.