A company’s bid to buy RAF Scampton, which it says would have been worth £3bn to the local area, has been rejected by the government.
The Home Office has instead chosen to sell the former RAF base to a company in the defence sector.
The home of the Dambusters would have been transformed into a centre for aviation, heritage, tourism and research if West Lindsey District Council and its partner Scampton Holdings had been successful.
However they were informed by the government on September 18 that the bid had been turned down.
Residents, who had backed the regeneration plans, say the decision “beggars belief”, and have no idea about their future.
Scampton Holdings has called for an explanation on why it was unsuccessful, and has asked if the criteria were changed.
Sarah Carter, leader of the Save Our Scampton campaign, said her immediate reaction to the news was “despair”.
“It beggars belief there has been no public consultation and we know nothing about the other contenders,” she said.
“We’re like mushrooms in the dark, waiting for the Home Office to tell us our future.
“All we have been told is they has gone with a company in the defence industry.
“We have no clue what this company will be doing, how it will affect us and our daily lives.
“Scampton Holdings was going to create thousands of jobs, with the effect snowballing across the whole area.
“We don’t know if this company will be a factory, we don’t know if it will preserve the history and heritage.
“The Home Office hasn’t thought about what it means to us – but we’re not going to roll over and give up.”
An independent review found the proposal would have added £3billion to the local economy over the next 15 years and create 3,625 new jobs.
Scampton Holdings said it had agreements with 30 defence companies keen to come to the site if it had been successful.
The directors have said: “We are deeply disappointed that our bid has been unsuccessful.
“Our proposals combine substantial defence industry engagement with a commitment to protect Scampton’s aviation heritage and secure its future as an operational airfield.
“We would welcome investment that strengthens British defence capability. The important question is how the chosen proposal will realise the site’s full potential for industry, for local communities and for the country.
The Home Office has been contacted for comment.
By Jamie Waller, Local Democracy Reporter
