Cheltenham Borough Council (CBC) and Gloucester City Council (GCC) have been in protracted negotiations with Horizon Group, the preferred buyer of Gloucestershire Airport, for over eight months. Despite the lengthy process, officials now say it is “very difficult” to determine whether the sale will go through, with some expressing disappointment over the delays.

Delays and Frustration Over Airport Sale

Andy Hearne, head of place at Gloucester City Council, said the councils have been working to finalize the sale of the 375-acre airport site at Staverton, but the process has been plagued by delays and extensions.

“The time lag, the extensions, etc. Obviously, we are all feeling pretty let down by the extensions that have taken place so I can’t sit here and tell you one way or the other,” Hearne told GCC councillors during an overview and scrutiny committee meeting on Monday night.

Gloucestershire Airport, which includes two thriving business parks and planning consent for an additional 30,000 square metres of business space, is a key asset in the region. The site has been under discussion for months, with Horizon Group identified as the preferred buyer.

Uncertainty Over Sale Completion

Jeremy Hilton, leader of Gloucester City Council, acknowledged that the sale remains uncertain, though he said options for an alternative plan are available. “Nothing has been worked out yet,” he said, adding that the focus remains on concluding the current sale.

Hilton also addressed recent media speculation about the sale, stating that “a lot of speculation in the press” was “not at all accurate,” though he did not clarify what was incorrect.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the airport site has significant economic potential, with its existing business parks and planning permission for additional commercial space. The sale, if completed, could bring new investment and development opportunities to the area.

Focus on Ensuring Public Interest

Hearne emphasized that the councils are committed to ensuring that any decision made is in the best interest of the local community. “The team we are working with are consistently devoted to making sure that all decisions are completely scrutinised to make sure the decisions made are right for the area, the public,” he said.

Despite the frustrations, officials remain committed to the sale process, though they acknowledge the risks involved in any transaction of this scale. “Any sale process has got its risks,” Hearne said, adding that the councils are working to resolve the issues that have caused the delays.

Council members have been vocal about their concerns over the prolonged negotiations, with some questioning whether the current buyer is the best option for the region’s future. However, no alternative buyer has been identified, and no formal plans have been put forward for a potential new direction.

The uncertainty surrounding the sale has left local businesses and residents in limbo, unsure whether the airport’s future will bring development or further delays. With the sale still pending, the region continues to await clarity on its next steps.