Peel has opportunity to seize goodwill on Doncaster Sheffield Airport
The Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) reopening saga has rumbled on long enough. It is clear that the site presents a huge opportunity to supercharge South Yorkshire’s economy. While at the same time the risks associated with the project are also apparent.
Reform councillors are right to call for closer scrutiny of the lease that has been agreed by City of Doncaster Council with landowner the Peel Group.
The lease, which is being renegotiated, included clauses where Peel could end the agreement if permission was not granted for a new 1,000+ home estate near the airport, which broke from Doncaster Council’s own agreed Local Plan.
The agreement also included an agreement that Peel would receive 20 per cent of any ‘turnover rent’ at the site.
While a lot of the focus has been on the council executive, there is an opportunity for Peel to show goodwill and come to the table with a revised agreement that would sit well with councillors.
It is in Peel’s interest for the airport reopening project to get off the ground and to do so without alienating councillors. There is a deal to be done to the benefit of all involved.
Recently this newspaper called for all councillors to take a considered approach to the reopening of DSA.
The executive needs to present all the details needed for councillors to make the right decision for taxpayers. But that also means that councillors need to engage with all steps of the process.
Reform councillors failing to turn up to a briefing ahead of the extraordinary council meeting to vote down a £57m loan to frontload the airport funding is a poor look. It suggests that some councillors are more interested in turning DSA into a political football.