Gloucestershire Airport is seeking a new owner and investor.
The airport is run by Gloucestershire Airport Ltd which was established in 1993 and of which both Gloucester City Council and Cheltenham Borough Council have a 50% shareholding in it.
However, leaders and councillors in the area have said they were unaware of the decision to market the 300-acre site in Staverton.
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Three years ago the airport the airport received a £15m investment from both council to refurbish its runway. Questions about the sale of the airport were raised at a Gloucester City Council meeting this week.
City Councillor Jeremy Hilton (LD, Kingsholm and Wotton) told councillors at a overview and scrutiny committee meeting on November 27 that he was informed by a Cheltenham council leader that they are looking to sell the site.
He said: “I would hope there would be full discussion within this council of the options if there is any suggestion that Gloucestershire Airport is put up for sale.”
In a letter cllr Hilton added: "The Liberal Democrat group has been put in a very difficult position in that we don’t have the necessary information to make an evidence-based judgement on whether we should support or oppose the planned sale of the airport. The airport is a key asset for the county and provides many aviation based jobs that must not be put at risk by a decision to dispose of it too quickly before the local elections in 2024.
“It seems that you failed to abide by the seven principles of public life, requiring council members to show selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. You seem to have failed miserably on openness in particular.
“I therefore request this sale be put on hold until all members of council have received all the information necessary to make a value-based judgement.”
Cheltenham Borough Council leader Rowena Hay said: “The future of the airport and the contribution both the airport and the businesses located there make to the regional economy is well recognised.
“The timing is now right for both councils to bring in a new owner to take it forward.”
Airport director Jason Ivey added: “The airport’s a real asset for Gloucestershire and with the right investment it can play an even greater role in unlocking regional growth and supporting exciting projects like the Golden Valley development.”
