A letter sent by Nottingham City Airport’s Truman Aviation to aircraft operators and businesses who use the facility clarifies the latest uncertainty facing the future of the site.
The site has been part of land designated for potential development in the draft Rushcliffe Local Plan for a decade.
Developer Vistry Homes owns the land on which the airfield operates.
Airport operator Truman Aviation owner Brian Wells has issued a letter to businesses and aircraft owners – he said:
‘Vistry Homes, the property development company that purchased the majority of the land at Tollerton Airport several years ago, has always maintained that the airport could continue operating until such time as the land was required for housing development.
‘However, due to ongoing opposition to their planning application, Vistry Homes now anticipates that the application may need to be appealed. As a result, they have decided to proceed with plans to close the airport and secure the site, ensuring that any potential planning inspector can clearly see that the airport no longer exists.
‘This decision is particularly disappointing, as Vistry Homes had initially expressed a strong desire for the airport to remain operational until construction work on the site began. In fact, the company had even proposed the possibility of keeping one runway open, provided that construction activities did not interfere with its operation.
‘There are also growing concerns among some business leaders about the potential for an economic recession, which could lead to further delays in the development process.
‘As a consequence of these developments, aircraft owners and businesses at the airfield, who might have previously had up to two years to relocate, are now faced with a much tighter timeline. The airport is scheduled to close in April 2025, largely due to the opposition to the planning permission.
‘In light of this, the aircraft owners and business operators at Tollerton Airport are urged to register their support for the planning application. Should the application be approved, Vistry Homes may consider withdrawing their notice to vacate. It is particularly important that the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance service is able to continue operating at Tollerton for as long as possible.
‘Vistry Homes remains committed to the long-term vision for the site and will continue to engage with all relevant stakeholders throughout the planning process.’
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