Durham Tees Valley Airport to sell land for up to 400 homes

Bosses at the beleaguered Durham Tees Valley Airport say the sale of land to build upto 400 houses is necessary to save the Airport.

The airport’s masterplan was launched last night and details plans to sell a substantial portion of land for housing - the proceeds of which would be reinvested in development of hangars and warehousing space.

Developments are proposed on the north and south sides of the Airport runway to establish DTVA as a leader in aviation related business such as aircraft engineering, dismantling and recycling

The plans also detail the development of a multi-modal logistics centre - air cargo, with rail and road connectivity - to maximise the employment potential of the Airport’s landholding.

Leisure destinations accessible via scheduled services to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport will be promoted alongside business services through marketing activity and the Airport terminal will be remodelled.

Northside development proposals include a mixture of offices and residential, with associated community facilities and an extension to the on-site St George’s Hotel, including a gym.

Development on the Southside, which would be accessed by a new link road, comprises a logistics and business park, engine testing facility and additional aviation support facilities, including a new apron and associated hangars.

DTVA Strategic Planning Director, Peter Nears, said: “The Master Plan sets out the path to reposition the Airport to establish a viable business model and investment strategy for the long term.

“Few airports, even the largest, can survive on revenues from passenger traffic alone and many have established wider development platforms to diversify income sources to enable re-investment in airport services.

“The Airport has land assets, which provide the development opportunities we must pursue if we are to improve the whole DTVA operation. The Master Plan sets out a clear way forward and I ask all our stakeholders, the business community and the public to get behind it so the Airport can maximise its contribution to the region’s future economic growth objectives.”

Responding to the masterplan, North East Chamber of Commerce chief executive, James Ramsbotham, said: “The Durham Tees Valley Airport Masterplan is a bold and ambitious document that will hopefully secure the airport’s long-term future by maximising its freight potential and considerable land assets.

“DTVA can play an important role in ensuring the North East remains connected to key business destinations and while it is disappointing that further investment will not be sought to increase the passenger offer, we are supportive of the Masterplan.”

The masterplan will now enter into a period of public consultation. Local Authority partners, Tees Valley Unlimited (LEP), regional businesses and the public are being asked to support the Plan as the best way forward to maximise the Airport’s role in supporting the regional economy.

The Master Plan can be also viewed on-line, with an opportunity to respond at http://www.DTVA-Master-Plan.co.uk. The consultation closing date is midday Friday, January 10, 2014.