Newquay Airport 'should not be political football'

The future of Cornwall Airport Newquay should not be used as a "political football", local business leaders have warned.

Cornwall Council, which owns the airport, is currently in negotiations to bring in a private partner to invest in and develop the site.

Some opposition councillors said they were concerned about handing over majority ownership to a private company and the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce stressed the airport was crucial to the local economy and any deal needed wide political support within the authority.

The council said 60% of participants in a recent public consultation had supported its vision for the airport.

Despite the airport bringing £72m into the Cornish economy annually, the council currently subsidises its operation by £4m a year.

The council has been in talks with a private company, Adynaton, over recent months - which could see it take on financial responsibility for the site.

The authority insisted a private partner was needed as it did not have the money or expertise to invest in the airport and help develop 250 acres (100 hectares) of undeveloped land around it on the the 650-acre (260-hectare) estate.

John Brown, the chief executive of the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, welcomed a blueprint which could see a new airport terminal built - along with offices, hotels, and retail units.

However, he warned a current lack of widespread political support endangered its success.

He said: "This cannot be caught up in the quagmire of political football. It is far too important.

"You need broad political commitment. I'd much rather we're moving forward from a committed, more stronger base.

"If that requires more time, I think that's absolutely OK - because what we cannot do is rush into a deal."

Councillors on the Conservative-led authority's economic and growth development scrutiny committee met on Tuesday to discuss concerns about the deal.

They have now set up an inquiry to see if the airport could be kept in the council's hands and run more successfully.

However, that inquiry would not stop a deal being signed by the authority's cabinet - potentially as early as next month.

The disagreement over the airport's future has led to calls for a vote-of-no-confidence in the current Conservative leader, Linda Taylor.

The motion, put forward by independent Councillor John Conway, needs 29 supporters before a formal vote can take place.

He said: "There's a general feeling of no confidence mainly about the airport issue.

"Things are being pushed through without proper scrutiny and without sufficient input from Cornwall Council and Cornish people."

The BBC has contacted Mrs Taylor for a response.

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