New community space in Erith

Erith's upcoming community space at 68 Pier Road is undergoing a vibrant transformation.

The new community hub will have a kitchen, a mixed use space and hireable meeting rooms. It will be accessible for those of all abilities including wheelchair users and will have a Changing Places toilet facility.

Community groups participated in a workshop earlier this year and suggested names for the space and how best they thought it could be used. Information boards updating on the plans for 68 Pier Road are on display in Erith town centre.

David Winstanley, Chief

Executive Officer

at London Biggin Hill Airport, delves into the airport’s latest achievements and explores how business airports play a crucial role in the industry’s future by supporting innovation, skills development and job creation.

David Winstanley has built an enviable four-decade career within aviation; from his beginnings as an officer in both the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, his private sector career took off with a fruitful time as Chief Operating Officer at Birmingham Airport before he landed his current role at London Biggin Hill Airport, where he has been Chief Executive Officer since 2019.

Having steered the airport through COVID-19, David has cemented London Biggin Hill as London’s pre-eminent full-service business aviation airport and a leading centre for aviation technology and enterprise. It is regularly the third most used business aviation airport in the UK and since 2020 has ranked well within the top 10 airports in Europe for business jet activity.

“I’m incredibly proud,” says David, “that as the heartbeat of business aviation in London, we are able to make a real difference to the local area and the wider UK. We are one of Bromley’s largest employers. On site, we have around 70 different and diverse companies employing more than 1,700 people. To give an example of how the airport has evolved, that’s an increase of 80% since 2012, when just 980 people were employed on-site.”

This impressive employment information is among the findings of an independent study by eminent property company Lichfields, which details how the airport has had a positive impact on economic change, investment and employment.

According to the report, in 2023, London Biggin Hill Airport contributed £200 million GVA to the UK economy, with £154 million captured in London. Excitingly, if the airport’s plans to diversify and develop come to fruition, the business has the potential to deliver more than £630 million GVA in the future, £493 million within the capital.

“When people think of airports,” David explains, “they tend to think of the big commercial facilities like Heathrow and Gatwick, rather than regional, business and general aviation airports that are just as important but in different ways. What many people might not appreciate is the beneficial impact that these regional airports have generating significant economic activity within their communities. These airports open the doors to global business and inward investment, they operate important medical and repatriation flights, and with numerous roles needing to be played in the upkeep of these aircraft, they offer the opportunity to increase skilled jobs and power responsible economic growth – both locally and internationally.”

Throughout its history, London Biggin Hill Airport has had innovation at its heart. Even before its most famous moment, playing a pivotal role in the Battle of Britain, it was central to the development of air-to-ground and air-to-air speech technology. That spirit continues to this day, with the thriving ecosystem of businesses on site working together to lead the way on how collaboration can increase success and opportunity for everyone, including the local community.

Extending the airport’s operating hours in 2017 created an environment conducive to generating inward investment, building on the success of the recognised Strategic Outer London Development Centre (SOLDC) as a centre of excellence for aviation businesses. As the airport has evolved, it has repositioned itself as a hub for aviation technology and innovation, with more specialist resident businesses now based at the airport than any other in Europe.

“The pivot towards fostering this fantastic centre for aviation and technology has seen the airport increase jobs and economic benefit without a massive uplift in aircraft movements. Having global companies like Bombardier and Formula 1 invest in the site underlines the belief in this model and the potential at London Biggin Hill. Business people can travel from the airport to London in just 6 minutes using our helishuttle, saving them precious time. They can also bring their planes here to have them serviced, cleaned, refitted or stored in a hangar. The diversity of service ensures a wide range of good jobs are available for the local community. And we are incredibly passionate creating these jobs and opportunities.”

The stats support David’s claim. In 2023, London Biggin Hill Airport and related businesses supported 2,692 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs with 1,760 of these