New consultation over future of Plymouth city's airport

A PUBLIC campaign to save Plymouth Airport from the developers' bulldozers has been called into action again.

This week city MP Alison Seabeck delivered a plea to the Prime Minister to step in to save the airport, which was closed last December.

Ms Seabeck delivered nearly 400 letters and emails, along with a petition of nearly 38,000 signatures calling on Mr Cameron to intervene.

The campaign was given added urgency in the summer when the former airport operator, Sutton Harbour Holdings, unveiled its masterplan to develop the land at Roborough.

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Sutton Harbour has a 150-year lease on the airport, with an "Armageddon Clause" allowing it to develop the land if an airport proves unviable.

The airport was protected in the draft Derriford and Seaton area action plan, but earlier this year the new Labour city administration removed it, saying its fate should be decided as part of the wider Plymouth Plan.

Sutton Harbour's masterplan was submitted as part of the area action plan consultation, and the city council has now been told that it must go out to public consultation again.

Residents and businesses now have six weeks to have their say about the Sutton Harbour proposals, which include a new district shopping centre, housing, employment uses and open space that have not been considered by the council.

The extra consultation means the council has had to change its timetable for the area action plan and a related "addendum sustainability appraisal". People will be able to have their until 5pm on December 7.

The area action plan will be submitted to the Secretary of State later in December. An independent examination will take place in March or April next year to ensure that the plan has been prepared properly, is right for the area and takes into account the comments that have been made.

The inspector's report is expected to be published in July next year, and the area action plan will be adopted in August.