Airport sale deadline set for end of month

The deadline for an airport's sale has been set for the end of the month, as council chiefs "prudently" consider a plan B.

Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucester City Council, which jointly own the site, are in the process of selling the 375‑acre Gloucestershire Airport in Staverton to the Horizon Aero Group for more than £25m.

Council chiefs announced in July that the sale would be completed by autumn 2025.

Councillor Andrew Hearne, head of place at the city council, has now said that January 31 is the new deadline, and he is confident they will achieve it.

Council leaders said earlier this month they held a "very productive" meeting with Horizon Aero Group, which was set up in January 2025 to bid for the site.

"They updated us on their funding position and gave reassurance as to where they are seeking their funding from.

"I can't give details of where that funding is coming from, because that would be a breach of sensitive information, there are a number of different funders the buyer is engaging in," said Hearne.

Gloucestershire Airport includes two business parks and planning consent for an additional 30,000 sq m (322,917 sq ft) of business space.

While there is optimism that the deal will be completed, other options are being considered.

"We are prudently looking at alternative options, but that's not because we believe there is risk, but that it is sensible to do so," said Hearne.

"It would be irresponsible of us to not start looking at what a plan B might look like."

He said the buyers should inform them if they feel there is any risk to their funding position over the next two weeks.

"We and Cheltenham need to know about it on the day, rather than hearing about it on January 31, so that we can make a prudent decision," he said.

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