Council head 'authorised to sell Gloucestershire Airport in 2020'

A council leader says he was given authority three years ago to work on selling Gloucestershire Airport.

An un-named company made an approach to buy the airport this summer.

It is run by Gloucestershire Airport Limited, which is jointly owned by Gloucester City Council and Cheltenham Borough Council.

Gloucester City Council leader Richard Cook said discussions are still at a very early stage, and no offers have been made.

But opposition councillors are angry that Mr Cook had started negotiations with a potential buyer without telling others.

At a council cabinet meeting on Wednesday 6 December, Councillor Jeremy Hilton, leader of the Lib Dem group, asked a number of questions about the proposed sale of the site, at Staverton.

He said he has no idea how long the process will take.

In a written response councillor Cook said that in a meeting on 15 December 2020, full council had approved an outline exit strategy for the airport.

Mr Cook also said councillors had authorised a senior council officer to take suitable action in consultation with the council leader and solicitor.

Therefore, there was no need to tell anyone else until there was some news to share.

Speaking to the BBC Mr Hilton said: "What was concerning was when I first found out that its likely to be sold, was that it would be a quick deal.

"I was really worried that someone was rushing the local council into making a decision on the airport."

The existing 300-acre Gloucestershire Airport site was created in 1936 and originally named Staverton Airport, replacing its predecessor at Down Hatherley Airfield.

In 1993, Gloucester City and Cheltenham Borough Councils formed Gloucestershire Airport Limited.

"We know this company has signed a confidentiality agreement and that they are in discussions with the two councils about whether they can purchase the airport," continued Mr Hilton.

"We understand from the leader of the council that it's early stages, but he's not told us anything until we started to question him."

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