They don't own it

“I just got this from Panorama after I tipped them off about the airport shenanigans..:)-
"Thank you for contacting Panorama and apologies for the automated response. As you can hopefully appreciate, we receive hundreds of emails everyday. We can, however, assure you that every one is read."”

“Unfortunately with a 150 year lease it is almost as good as having the freehold. SHH, with the tacit support of PCC, will try to convince the government that they should be given the go ahead as they have gone through the 'process' to produce reports to say the airport is not viable.
In one stroke a decision to give the go ahead to SHH will relieve PCC of the decision over the lease and separately the awkward position they would find themselves in having to change their planning policy to allow residential development.

Whatever way the SHH route takes it must be opposed at every opportunity. If Councillors cannot see that keeping this land for future airport use is essential we will just have to make sure we ask them where they stand at each council election.”

“Carole said- 'Even greater reason for Plymouth people to see the lease, that up to now, no-one is allowed to see. I wonder why?'..

Yes, a labour council originally smoothed the way for SHH to move in, so Evans has got some explaining to do.
I've written to BBC TV's Panorama suggesting they investigate the whole affair..;)”

“I wonder what has happened to the monies that was realised when a plot of former Airport land was developed with the building permission conditional that the money was to be ringfenced and used only for the continuance of the airport? I think the Airport was closed after this decision, but before the last of the properties were built, sold, so where is that money?”

“PCC would like SHH to seek higher authority and approval to let them of the hook. And I hope they get it so that we can move on and bury this airport argument like the city centre subway...

Note to editor - Can we have an English spell checker rather than the US one? 'Centre' in England is not spelt 'center'.”

“The 'fly in the ointment' is that PCC commissioned their own report and formally 'agreed' with SHH that the airport should be shut down. What is more annoying is the Tudor Evans 5 tests especially the one about any operator getting the lease from SHH first.

The even worse thing is that nobody is 'listening', and in all probability these comments like so many before them will soon be mysteriously removed.”

“Many people "own" leaseholds on their land and are allowed to develop the land. The fact that the council own the freehold won't stop them developing the land if the terms of the lease allow for it.

However the Council should protect the land as an airport and stop any ideas of development.”

“Well said!”