Council issues Article 4 Direction and combined authority approves funding for pursuit of CPO in Doncaster Sheffield Airport dispute

The South Yorkshire Combined Authority (SYCA) has also approved a funding package of £3.1m to assist Doncaster Council in its pursuit of a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for the site.

In September 2022, the airport's owner, Peel Group, said that, following a strategic review, no tangible proposals had been received regarding the ownership of the airport or which addressed "the fundamental lack of financial viability".

Doncaster subsequently issued proceedings for a judicial review in a bid to save the airport, but the Administrative Court refused permission.

During an annual general meeting yesterday (5 June), the SYCA resolved to fund Doncaster's CPO bid, which will involve the development of a financial viability assessment, the production of an outline business case, and associated professional service and legal fees.

South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard and the leaders of the four South Yorkshire councils – Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield – also agreed a funding package towards the purchase of the airport, should the CPO ultimately be successful.

According to the combined authority, the airport supports 2,700 jobs in the regional economy, contributed an annual net gross value added of £108.4m, and created an annual welfare gain of approximately £49.5m.

Commenting on the CPO funding, Mayor Coppard said: "The Compulsory Order Process is our last, best hope to take back control of DSA, and that's why today we've agreed £3.1m from South Yorkshire's MCA to support Doncaster in their pursuit of that CPO, and a funding package to purchase the site should the CPO – as we hope – be successful."

Coppard said the CPO could take up to two years.

Doncaster also announced yesterday that it had issued a direction removing permitted development rights related to the demolition of buildings under  Article 4 (1) of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015.

The direction means that the owner must gain planning permission before demolishing buildings, including the control tower, fire station, hangars, cargo and transit sheds, the runway and the terminal building. 

The council is asking for further representations to be made before confirming the direction.

Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, said: "Having an airport in Doncaster is vitally important to our city and the economic and growth fortunes of South Yorkshire. Businesses and communities in the region want to see a thriving airport so I am thankful for the support from SYMCA in helping with our efforts to secure its future."

Peel Group has been approached for comment.

Adam Carey