Shoreham Airport could be closed in 35 years as part of the deal with its new owners.

A clause in the deal with property company Erinaceous would allow the firm to consider other options for the site if it could show the airport was no longer commercially-viable by 2041.

The Argus reported on Tuesday the airport was sold for £8.6 million to Erinaceous by Brighton and Hove City Council and Worthing Borough Council, the first time it has been in private hands in its 96 year history.

Erinaceous has given a 35-year commitment to make the airport a success but it has been given the option of considering other uses for the land, considered a "green gap", if the airport business does not take off as expected.

Councillors said strict rules had been laid down about what purposes the land could be used for and said it could not be developed, for example for housing, without agreement with planners at Adur District Council and changes to the Local Plan.

The company would have to enter into detailed negotiations with the council and meet a "vast quantity" of criteria laid down in the deal before it could close the 248 acre site to aviation use.

Bryan Turner, the Cabinet member for resources at Worthing Borough Council, said: "Erinaceous are going to have a really good go at making it a functioning airport but at that point (2041) it could then engage with us and Adur District Council to look at other functions for the site.

"I personally hope it does remain in use as an airport and that the strategic gap the land creates remains. That is a policy of West Sussex County Council, to keep these gaps in place.

"I couldn't really say though what its use will be after the 35 years."

Councillor Don Turner, who helped oversee the sale on behalf of Brighton and Hove City Council, said: "We had originally only sought 25 years but it was Erinaceous who said it would do 35 years. That is a measure of the confidence it has in making it a success.

"There are very strict rules about using this strategic green gap for other purposes so it is not simply a case of them saying 'okay we'll turn it into housing now'."

Eric Williams, secretary of the campaign group Communities Against Runway Expansion said he had hoped the airport would not be used for aviation purposes in the future because of issues surrounding pollution.

Brighton and Hove City Council and Worthing Borough Council have both said they found the best deal in selling the airport to Erinaceous. They spoke out after campaigners said they were surprised the airport sold for £8.6 million despite the district auditor estimating its value at £21 million in November last year following a check of the councils' accounts.

They said the district auditor's initial valuation of £21 million could not have been achieved and that £8.6 million was a good deal for taxpayers, considering the regeneration and employment benefits the airport redevelopment would bring.

The district auditor's figure was disputed because it did not take into account local planning policies which prevent the land, a strategic green gap between Worthing and Shoreham, being redeveloped for uses such as housing, which restrict its value.

Councillor Bryan Turner said: "Although the book value of the airport was £21 million, we can only sell it for what people are willing to pay and the Erinaceous bid was the best.

"The airport has a turnover of £2.5 million and last year it only forecast to make a £7,000 profit.

"It did in fact make £40,000 but that is still a slim margin for an asset which is worth £8 million.

"The best solution is for private capital to be invested in it so they can improve it and make a real good go of it."

Thursday, July 6, 2006