Calls are growing for local residents to have greater influence over the future of Gloucestershire Airport at Staverton, with Green Party councillors urging the establishment of a citizens' assembly to guide its next chapter.
Earlier this month, plans to sell the 375-acre airport site—co-owned by Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucester City Council—collapsed after Horizon Aero Group, the preferred buyer, was unable to secure the necessary funding. Following eight months of negotiations, the sale fell through, leaving the councils to reassess their options.
Despite the uncertainty around ownership, council leaders have reassured the public that the airport’s daily operations and the numerous aviation-related businesses on site will continue uninterrupted. Their current priority is maintaining operational stability while exploring future possibilities for the airfield.
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However, Green Party councillors argue that the community directly affected by the airport’s presence deserves a stronger voice in determining what happens next. Cheltenham Borough Councillor Tabi Joy (Green, St Paul’s) emphasized the importance of involving local people through a citizens' assembly—a diverse group brought together to study the issue, deliberate carefully, and offer recommendations.
“The failed sale gives us a second chance to get it right,” said Councillor Joy. “Thousands live by the airport, beneath its flight paths, or work on the business park. We all have a stake in this and should be included in shaping its future—not excluded.”
She added that a citizens' assembly would be a cost-effective way to thoroughly examine the site’s potential and generate fresh ideas that reflect current and future community needs. “We deserve more influence over where we live,” Joy said. “This is a unique opportunity to build something meaningful that truly serves the people here.”
With citizens actively engaged, the future of Gloucestershire Airport could be shaped not just by councils or investors but by the very people who experience its impact daily.