Speculation that Cornwall Airport Newquay is being sold “imminently” have been played down.
Tretherras and St Columb Minor Cornwall councillor says this is not the case and the talks due to be held are only part of Cornwall Council’s “routine review” of its airport strategy.
Pentire town councillor Joanna Kenny, the Lib Dem Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for the St Austell & Newquay constituency, has highlighted reports that a “heads of terms” agreement is due to be signed, granting exclusive negotiating rights to one “preferred bidder.”
Cllr Kenny said: “The rumours that Newquay Airport is being sold imminently have been confirmed indicating that a “heads of terms” agreement will be signed, granting exclusive negotiating rights to one “preferred bidder” with a single “take-it-or-leave-it” proposal finally coming before the council’s cabinet in about six months.
“It is not clear whether that’s just the civil airport, destined no longer to be in the St Austell & Newquay Constituency, or the Aerohub as well, which does remain in our constituency.
“There seem to be many councillors in the current administration that don’t approve of a done deal and want a proper competitive tender exercise.
“Not to mention the implications if a future private owner starts selling off the real estate.
And it appears that other councillors, and specifically the two Councillors who represent the electoral divisions that split the airport estate, have not yet been consulted. Whatever happened to ‘no surprises’?
“And I’m guessing the Airport Consultative Forum has not yet been consulted.
“Newquay Town Council was of course excluded from that until the next meeting at the end of September. As the former Newquay representative, I have always tried not to take that personally.”
Cllr Towill said: “There is a work program item due in October for a review of the airport strategy.
“This is quite routine and the council must review its strategy periodically. I will keep a close eye on it just in case, but there’s nothing imminent about to happen.”