Council to maintain its £1m budget to secure the possible compulsory purchase of Wellesbourne Airfield

Stratford District Council is to maintain its £1m budget to secure the possible compulsory purchase of Wellesbourne Airfield.

Cabinet members agreed to the request after council leader Cllr Tony Jefferson (Con, Welcombe) admitted that progress had not been as fast as he would have liked because it had been severely disrupted by Covid.

It was resolved in March 2019 that compulsory purchase order (CPO) powers would be used to ensure the aviation continued at the airfield.

Since then a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was put in place between the council and the owners of the airfield. An MoU is an expression of intent of negotiating parties.

Cllr Jefferson told the cabinet meeting on Tuesday (February 9): “This has ensured that aviation has continued at the site whilst negotiations continue and all but one of the businesses operating from the airfield have been granted new tenancies.

“It has not been without controversy. Negotiations are ongoing with the owner and their agents.

"These centre around the repositioning of the runway and aviation facilities to give us a more sustainable airfield.

“The other point I would make is that the Department of Transport has shown a very keen interest in the future of Wellesbourne airfield.

"They see it as an important part of the network of general aviation airfields.”

Cllr Anne Parry (Con, Wellesbourne East) said those living in the area were very concerned because so many livelihoods were linked to the airfield.

Cllr Jefferson added: “There is no doubt that the MoU has kept the aviation facilities in place.

"It has enabled us to continue negotiations and that, together with the CPO in the background, is what is moving us steadily forward in terms of negotiating an acceptable solution.”