Full Council backs financial support to help fully reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport

This decision taken today means that the airport programme can progress. Funding to fully reopen the airport of £193m has been secured from a mix of funds including £160m funding from South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, SY Local Growth Fund and Doncaster Council.

Full Council has approved up to £57m of borrowing to fund the upfront and reopening costs. These are not additional costs but a mechanism for providing the cash to support the reopening and funded by the resources that are part of the overall financial package approved by SYMCA in September.

Mayor Ros Jones welcomed the decision: “I would like to thank councillors who supported this critically important decision, simply without this funding support we would not be able to fully reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport. Had we not secured this cross party support the programme would have had to stop, that was the enormity of the decision taken by Full Council.

“This decision now underlines the council’s commitment and determination to see our airport fully reopen and is a significant moment in our reopening journey. I would like to thank councillors from all parties for their support. Thank you on behalf of Doncaster residents and businesses who want to see our airport open again.”

“Fully reopening Doncaster Sheffield Airport is set to be the largest single investment in Doncaster for more than a generation, with unrivalled economy opportunities for our residents and businesses.”

“I know that the airport can be a huge success for Doncaster, South Yorkshire and the north.”

The report noted that reopening the airport would ‘bring the significant benefits forecast to Doncaster and the wider region in the form of skilled employment, inward investment, tourism, economic growth and increased economic resilience.’

Over 8,700 have so far responded to an ongoing survey with 93% supporting the reopening.

More information about the outcome of the poll will be shared before Christmas.