'Serious concerns' over sale of airport site

The planned sale of a council-owned airport has sparked serious concerns over the economic impact it would have.

Property advisor Savills was appointed to market Gloucestershire Airport on Thursday, almost a year after plans to sell the asset were announced.

The 350-acre site in Staverton, jointly owned by Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucester City Council, has been put up for sale as the authorities do not have the "commercial investments" it needed.

However, opposition councillors have called for a full economic impact assessment to be carried out before the airport was sold.

The airport, which was established in the 1930s, has two primary tarmac runways and advanced navigation systems.

It also has two business parks spanning approximately 65,032 sq m (700,000 sq ft), in addition to 29,729 sq m (320,000 sq ft) of business space on development land, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Councillor Terry Pullen said he was "seriously concerned" about the long term future of the site and the local economy.

“There are many businesses located in and around the airport and we must ensure their future security and the employment they provide.

He also insisted that any decision regarding the sale of the site should be brought to a full council meeting.

Councillor Alastair Chambers hoped the airport would be able to offer scheduled European passenger flights in the future - a suggestion which Gloucester City councillors previously rejected.

He said the venture would "attract tourists, generate business revenue and create exciting new opportunities for the county".

However, Councillor Ashley Davies from Cheltenham Borough Council said the move would create noise and air pollution and felt the site could be used to better benefit local communities with housing or a solar energy park.

Councillor Tabi Joy, overview and scrutiny committee chair at Cheltenham Borough Council, said both shareholders were working to ensure the sale of the site was conducted in a "responsible way that's sensitive to area needs".

“I would really welcome the engagement of local people in sharing ideas for how the site could be managed in the future as we have an opportunity to influence the outcome.

"A citizens assembly would be a terrific way to do it, and very forward-thinking," she added.

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