BBCCornwall’s newly elected MPs have criticised a “hasty” attempt to find a commercial partner to operate Cornwall Airport Newquay.
In early August, Cornwall Council announced that it had entered into talks with Adynaton Asset Management LLP to Help develop the sitewhich receives £4.8 million annually from the authority.
A joint statement by Liberal Democrat MPs Ben Maguire and Andrew George and Labour MPs Perran Moon, Anna Gelderd, Noah Law and Jayne Kirkham said there had not been enough consultation.
A final report on the deal is due to be presented to the Conservative-led council’s cabinet group in the autumn. The council declined to comment on the MPs’ remarks.
“We are concerned”
MEPs expressed their concern about the Council’s decisions.
They added that “meaningful consultations” should take place with businesses and city councils.
“We are concerned that Cornwall Council Cabinet decisions on the future of Cornwall Newquay Airport and the 650-acre Cornwall site are being rushed, without full consultation with the business community or transparency to the public about the negotiation process and commercial terms of the deal,” MPs said.
They called on the Council to make public all consultation procedures and the independent political control carried out therein.
PA MediaA council spokesman said the authority would not comment on the statement made by Cornwall MPs.
When the plans were unveiled earlier this year, the council said it hoped to find a private company to jointly operate the airport, which brings around £72 million a year to Cornwall’s economy.
In addition to the main airport buildings, the site includes Spaceport Cornwall, Aerohub Business Park, Kernow Solar Farm and 200 acres of undeveloped land.
Introducing the potential partner on August 1, City Councillor Louis Gardner, head of the economic department, said it would provide the long-term economic stimulus the region needs.
“This is the next step in a very rigorous process and represents an exciting opportunity to inject potentially significant new capital into Cornwall’s economy,” he said.
