Local council enters bid to secure RAF Scampton
The council has joined the race for the former base
Councillors have voted to officially enter the race to secure RAF Scampton - saying it would transform Lincolnshire.
West Lindsey District Council (WLDC) plans to develop the site into a centre of tourism, aviation and defence, while celebrating its history too.
Councillors unanimously agreed to put the submission forward at a meeting yesterday (Monday 2nd March).
Some commented that it was the “easiest decision” they had ever made.
Sally Grindrod-Smith, the council’s director of planning, regeneration and community, said: “There are huge possibilities for the site, specifically in the defence sector.
“A number of investors want to make Scampton their home and we’d love to facilitate that. There would be significant career opportunities in defence, aviation, drone technology, science and engineering.”
Council leader Jackie Brockway said: “It’s hugely exciting to be getting closer and closer to an excellent outcome for West Lindsey.”
WLDC needs to submit an expression of interest to the Home Office by the end of the working week.
The next step after that will involve the government asking for business plans and bids.
This is actually the second time WLDC has attempted to buy the site, but the first attempt was thwarted by the Conservative government's plans to house asylum seekers there in 2023.
The current Labour government ended up abandoning those plans 18 months ago, after the council took a challenge to the High Court.
It is hoped that the sale of the RAF Scampton site will be completed by November 2026.