'Well worth waiting for': Doncaster Sheffield Airport update promise given by Ros Jones as she addresses public frustrations

Talking at the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) board on Tuesday afternoon, Ms Jones said she had been contacted by businesses and residents who are "frustrated and impatient" that a more substantial progress update on the project is yet to be provided.

A written update to the meeting had said negotiations with landowner Peel about changing the lease for the site - which is required before SYMCA will release £160m of devolution funding for the project - were making "good progress" but are still "live".

It comes amid the backdrop of previous reports that councillors were told in July the current funding for the project is due to run out this month and that the lease renegotiation would need to conclude by the time of today’s SYMCA meeting.

SYMCA and City of Doncaster Council had provided £20m of funding in February 2025 for the scheme’s current costs.

Council sources recently told the BBC Local Democracy Reporter Scheme that the project will not run out of money this month but failed to provide further details. The council has also failed to directly answer questions from The Yorkshire Post about why the position appears to have changed and when funding is due to last until.

Mayor Jones told Tuesday afternoon’s meeting: “A number of residents and businesses in Doncaster have expressed to me how frustrated and impatient they are not to see a more substantive progress report.

"This is understandable and indeed, I share some of their perspective. As politicians, we are naturally impatient for change and delivery.

"What I can say is that the next update is well worth waiting for and I look forward to sharing further details in due course.

"Works are continuing on site to fully reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport and to complete the necessary safety and licencing and certification requirements for the Airspace Chance Programme in conjunction with the Civil Aviation Authority, all of which is progressing well and to plan with passenger flights expected to take off in spring 2028.”

South Yorkshire mayor Oliver Coppard said to her in response: “Thank you for the work you and your team are doing behind the scenes and working with us on moving this project forward.”

CDC revealed earlier this year that a key sticking point in negotiations with Peel is whether the devolution funding will be exempt from a 'turnover rent' clause allowing Peel to receive 20 per cent of annual airport income above annual base rent payments.

The lease currently lists ‘taxpayer-funded grants from local and national government’ among the areas subject to the turnover rent clause – potentially entitling Peel to millions of pounds from the devolution funding.

But Mr Coppard’s office has said funding will only be released if its contribution is not deemed as turnover. A council report in May said the issue had become a “heavily debated point” in negotiations.

According to SYMCA board papers, another condition of releasing funding – relating to earmarking business rates from the neighbouring Gateway East site “to support potential adverse financial performance and investment requirements” - has now been agreed.

But it said a further condition relating to appointing an “experienced Programme Management Office provider” is yet to be met.