A councillor has re-opened debate around a tiny UK airport that closed back in 2011 after its operators said the aviation hub was ‘no longer viable’
A tiny UK airport that closed its doors more than a decade ago could soon be revived. Plymouth City Airport shut back in December 2011 following operators Sutton Harbour Group (SHG) declaring the hub was ‘no longer viable’.
Plymouth City Council, the freeholder of the site, is currently engaged in a legal process with the tenants, who want to build houses on part of the site. However, the Joint Local Plan of 2019 means the land should only be used for aviation until the next review, which is still taking place. According to the BBC, SHG said it would provide an update in due course after the council warned them over ‘breaching covenants’ and gave the company 14 days to say it will comply.
Now, Tudor Evans has suggested the airport could now be used to help the city’s transport needs. Plymouth Live says the politician wrote to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, stating: “The introduction of new types of aircraft such as drones and electrical vertical take-off and landing aircraft present opportunities for low carbon local and regional air mobility for goods and people”.
Swathes of locals welcomed the idea of reviving the airport, arguing the hub would provide a more efficient form of transport for those who need it. “Flying is much, much quicker than rail and road,” one reader wrote. “We don’t need more homes on the airport site. This is a chance now to use this land for aviation – or lose it.”
Another agreed, commenting: “Plymouth needs an airport, which would be used by short haul flights into major hub airports in the UK and Europe. Think London City Airport. No package holiday flights required. [It would] attract new and future low carbon aircraft and flight development companies.”
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However, many slammed such a move – arguing it makes more sense to use the land to build a hospital or more housing. Plymouth doesn’t need an airport,” one local fumed. “If people need to fly, there is a perfectly good airport 45 minutes up the road. Plymouth does need housing, so let’s get building and stop this pointless argument.”
Another scathed: “I recall a nearly half-empty flight to Jersey amongst the final services, illustrating the low demand. If this were going to happen it would have happened years ago. Pure waffle again, just build on it.”
Should Plymouth City Airport reopen, or would the land be better used for housing? Have your say in the comments section below