The new owner of Gloucestershire Airport intends to expand its business parks and attract further investment with a view to growing the local economy.
Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucester City Council have both approved the sale of the airport this June 2025, with the site's new owner to be named 'in due course' once everyone involved in the sale has been informed.
Council leaders confirm the bidder is 'strongly committed' to the future of the site as an aviation hub, adding that they've been impressed by their plans for it to play 'an important role in the economic growth of the region'.
They say the bidder plans to modernise the airport and expand its two existing business parks, with planning consent already approved for an additional 30,000 square metres of business space.
Leader of Gloucester City Council Jeremy Hilton told a full council meeting this week that a legal agreement will also be negotiated to ensure the airport is run for general aviation – preventing it from being redeveloped – for up to 50 years, according to Carmelo Garcia, local democracy reporter.
Councillor Hilton also revealed that the bid is higher than the councils' £25 million guide price.
He said of the sale process earlier this month: 'A lot of interest was received but I believe we have a preferred option that shares our vision of modernising the airport and bringing real benefits to the area and to local people.'
And he added in a statement this week: 'The airport’s long-term future is dependent on the private investment the new owners will make into the aviation infrastructure at Staverton.'
Rowena Hay, leader of Cheltenham Borough Council, commented: 'There is so much opportunity to build on the
airport’s successes and we have every confidence that the new owner will really
invest and unlock the potential for this site.'
The airport's managing director Jason Ivey says senior leadership are 'very much looking forward to see the transition of the airport into private ownership'.
He said: 'This not only secures current jobs, but also lays the foundations for new jobs creation and infrastructure development.'
A spokesperson for the Skyborne, an international airline training academy based at the airport commented: 'The commitment from prospective new owners to invest in the airport’s future is extremely positive for our trainees, instructors and the wider aviation community.'
