South Yorkshire’s mayor, Oliver Coppard, has given an update on the latest progress with Doncaster Sheffield Airport, confirming that a key investment decision is due to be made in early September.
It comes as additional assurance work is underway to support consideration of the South Yorkshire City Airport investment proposal, and as a leading international aviation consultancy has been brought in to take a fresh look at the traffic forecasts and financial modelling developed in 2023.
It also follows constructive conversations with the Department for Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority around the reinstatement of airspace for DSA.
Speaking at South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Board Annual General Meeting, Oliver Coppard said: “I want to take a moment to update the Board on where we are with Doncaster Sheffield Airport, and the significant progress we’ve made over the past few months.
“Back in February, we agreed as a Board to commission additional assurance work to support our consideration of the South Yorkshire City Airport investment proposal. That work is now well underway.
“We’ve brought in a leading international aviation consultancy to take a fresh look at the traffic forecasts and financial modelling developed in 2023. Doncaster Council is working closely with our advisors, as you would expect, to ensure those forecasts are up to date and grounded in the latest data – so that when we make our final decision, we do so with the best possible information in front of us, available to all of us around this table.
“Alongside that, we’ve engaged a top-tier development agency to help us shape a masterplan for the wider Gateway East development. It isn’t just about reopening an airport – it’s about unlocking the potential of that whole site as a hub for advanced technology and innovation as a means to creating thousands of jobs and opportunities. The work is helping us understand the scale of that opportunity and the investment needed to unlock it.
“We’re also looking closely at the wider picture: how people will get to and from the airport, the underlying headlease for the land, and the skills and employment opportunities it could create. An equalities impact assessment is part of that work too – because we absolutely want to ensure the project delivers for everyone in South Yorkshire.
“We’re on track, and I can confirm that we expect to be in a position to make an investment decision in early September.
“While that assurance work continues to build confidence through the summer, we’re also working closely with the government through the DSA working group. The level of engagement we’ve had across our key workstreams has been unprecedented; I think it’s fair to say. I’m really grateful to the government for that.
“We’ve had constructive conversations with the Department for Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority around the reinstatement of airspace for DSA. The Secretary of State’s decision not to call in the airspace application means the CAA can now move more quickly – which is welcome – and we’ve been assured that this won’t delay our plans.
“In April, we welcomed the Prime Minister to DSA, where he announced £30 million of newly available funds to support the airport’s reopening. He said: “We are backing the region as a sustainable aviation hub in South Yorkshire and giving lift-off for growth here in Doncaster.” That commitment was reaffirmed in the Chancellor’s Spending Review.
“I’m grateful to Rachel in particular, who has offered her full support, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Heidi Alexander for their continued support in helping us get this over the line.
“We’re working as hard – and as fast – as we can to build the strongest possible case for a positive decision in early September.
“I recognise people are frustrated by that timeline. I get that. But we have to get it right – it’s £150m of taxpayers’ money. We want to work through all the processes, protect taxpayers’ money and make sure the project succeeds.
“That is my commitment. If we don’t prepare properly, we’ll prepare to fail, and I won’t take that risk. There are many opportunities that will be unlocked from jobs and growth that will allow people in South Yorkshire to stay near and go far. We have to make sure we get it right the first time.”
City of Doncaster Council’s mayor Ros Jones added: “Thank you Oliver for providing an update in relation to the proposed timeline and for the commitment to the investment decision to be taken in early September. I must emphasise the importance of the Gainshare decision in early September and swift release of Gainshare funding alongside the £30m from Government that the Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced in April.
“We are at a critical point, where we need this certainty of funding in order to continue our plans to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport. We need the certainty to progress with our Airspace, sign-up airlines and freight providers and employ and train the hundreds of staff required to operate an airport.
“Whilst we acknowledge that this is public money and the need for due diligence, we are pleased that Oliver has signalled that the assurance work continues to build confidence over the summer and that he has committed that the decision in early September will be the final decision on Gainshare.”
