Gloucestershire’s Staverton Airport, often criticized as little more than a “private flying club” and lacking in substantial air traffic, is at the center of a heated debate over whether it should be sold for housing development or preserved as an operational airport. Spanning 350 acres and employing 53 staff, the airport supports thousands of jobs and is jointly owned by Gloucester City Council and Cheltenham Borough Council.
At a special meeting on June 26, Gloucester City Councillors agreed to proceed with the sale to a preferred bidder who plans to maintain the airport’s operations. However, opposition councillors known as the Community Independents voiced strong reservations, arguing that selling the land for housing would better serve Gloucester’s pressing need for new homes.
Councillor Andrew Bell criticized the airport’s limited use, stating he had “never seen a decent aircraft land there” and described the facility as simply a private flying club. Bell questioned the necessity of the council running an airport and emphasized the urgent demand for housing in the city. “This land is available for 12,500 houses,” he said. “We’ve been paying for this airport for 40 years; it’s time taxpayers get a return.”
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Supporting Bell, Councillor Alastair Chambers, who has personal flying experience at Staverton, called the site an ideal location for addressing the city’s housing shortfall of around 4,000 homes. He expressed concern about the limited duration of clawback clauses in the sale agreement, suggesting that 50-year limits are insufficient to protect resident interests. Chambers also criticized the opacity of the sale documents, many of which were heavily redacted, and questioned whether the council is undervaluing the property. “We could be missing out on hundreds of millions,” he warned.
In contrast, Council Leader Jeremy Hilton defended the sale approach, emphasizing the importance of preserving aviation businesses and jobs on the site. Hilton noted the existence of overage charges designed to recoup funds if the land is developed in the future. He dismissed the high valuations cited by opponents as unrealistic given the constraints of lease agreements and operational requirements.
“There are other areas in the county for housing,” Hilton said. “This site supports a diverse local economy with aviation businesses that rely on it.” He reassured councillors that sales documents will include strong financial safeguards and covenants, with final approval expected within 12 weeks.
As the city balances economic diversity and housing needs, the fate of Staverton Airport remains a contentious issue among Gloucester’s elected representatives and residents alike.