Airport owners say auction will go ahead

AIRPORT leaseholder Sutton Harbour Holdings plc is to go ahead with an auction of the aerodrome's equipment despite a call from Plymouth City Council leader Tudor Evans to call a halt.

The Herald revealed yesterday how SHH is going to auction kit including fire engines, portable buildings and even X-ray machines from the closed down Plymouth City Airport.

But following the revelation both the Viable group, which wants to re-open the airport, and Cllr Evans called for the sale to be stopped.

SHH today said it was going ahead with the sell-off and stressed the council knew about its plans.

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This came after the council said it has an undertaking from SHH that it would keep the terminal buildings, air traffic control and fire-and-rescue facilities in good repair and not demolish buildings or make structural alterations.

SHH group also stressed it has received no "substantive" proposals for the airport site.

An SHH spokesman said: "We have asked a specialist industrial auctioneer to catalogue surplus non-fixed items at the airport including office furniture and vehicles with a view to holding an auction in early July.

"At this stage, this does not include airport operational equipment, such as navigation systems and power units, but we expect to review this with Plymouth City Council shortly."

He added: "The airport has been closed for almost six months and the council has been fully aware of our intention to auction surplus items.

"We would stress that since early September last year we have instructed an independent commercial agent to handle all inquires relating to the airport and evaluate any proposals. We have received no substantive proposals from any party."

SHH, which closed the airport last December, has brought in Lincoln-based Peaker Pattinson (Auctioneers) Ltd to sell the airport gear.

A catalogue has gone online which details a huge range of items including a two-storey office block, former Plymouth Flying School cabins, four fire tenders, runway vehicles, generators, boilers, ticket machines, baggage trolleys, office furniture, a smoking shelter, a check-in desk and metal detectors.

A sealed bid contest will be decided on June 13, other equipment will be sold at an on-line auction on July 11 and 12.