Previous activity
In 2018 the Ministry of Defence announced the closure of RAF Scampton and the relocation of the Red Arrows to RAF Waddington as part of this closure. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) were instructed to close the site and facilitate its sale during the first half of 2023.
In April 2022 we formally expressed interest in acquiring the site.
West Lindsey District Council has worked extensively with the DIO, Lincolnshire County Council and Scampton Parish Council (alongside other organisations) to ensure the best possible outcomes for the Scampton site and its future positioning within the wider district and county economy.
A specific RAF Scampton policy was incorporated into the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan (CLLP) review to ensure the significance of the site is recognised, appropriate protection is put in place and to ensure the key challenges (linked to site development) are carefully managed. The Examination in Public was completed during November and December 2022. The final ‘Main Modifications’ consultation stage has now been completed with sign off of the revised Local Plan expected in early April 2023.
All documents can be found on the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan webpages.
On the 9 February 2023, the council's Corporate Policy and Resources Committee unanimously voted in favour of progressing with the site acquisition and partnering with an investor to deliver the RAF Scampton regeneration project.
Current position
After a public procurement exercise (Project Ref: DN620845), West Lindsey District Council are delighted to announce that Scampton Holdings Limited have been selected as the Development Partner to regenerate the 800-acre historic site.
A landmark deal has been agreed which will see the council purchase the former RAF base from the Ministry of Defence and in a back-to-back arrangement transfer ownership to Scampton Holdings Limited through a Development Agreement. The deal, which will secure over £300 million of investment into the regeneration of the site will preserve, protect and enhance the site by providing aviation heritage, business, aerospace, space and aviation technology and education opportunities.
At the heart of the proposal is the continued use of Scampton as an operational airfield, which will assist in enabling investment across four key business areas:
- commercial activity, aerospace and aviation
- heritage
- hospitality and tourism
- education and research
Scampton Holdings Limited bring to the table a wealth of experience and knowledge across the aerospace, defence, aviation, heritage and hospitality sectors, which, through a collaborative and partnership approach to regenerating the site will ultimately deliver 1000’s of highly skilled new jobs in key growth sectors.
Scampton Holdings Limited share the council’s vision for the site and have developed a number of guiding principles which include:
- the protection, promotion and enhancement of existing heritage assets at Scampton
- supporting and improving existing community facilities
- maintaining Scampton as an operational and licensed airfield. Including retention of the restricted airspace status
- ensuring there is a ‘whole site’ approach towards being carbon neutral
- maintaining the site as one whole entity or campus
- developing a strong tourism and hospitality offering which is additive to the existing visitor economy for Lincolnshire
Scampton Holdings Limited have developed a programme which will see phased physical regeneration commence in 2023 and the council will now work with the Ministry of Defence and Scampton Holdings Limited to conclude purchase arrangements as quickly as is practicable.
How can members of the public express their views?
We know that our communities, partners and stakeholders will be keen to understand more about the regeneration plans. Details of consultation events will be published here in due course.
For enquiries to the council: growth@west-lindsey.gov.uk
For enquiries to Scampton Holdings Limited: meredyth.grant@scampton.org
For more information about the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan visit: Local Plan
For more information about the Dambusters visit: Story of the Dambusters