Consultation opened to discuss future of airport

The chief executive of Cornwall Chamber of Commerce wrote to Cornwall Council in July criticising its plan for a partnership deal

Cornwall Council is to hold meetings with the public and the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce to discuss the future of the Newquay airport site.

Two public events will take place on Saturday in Truro and Newquay.

It comes following criticism from business leaders and opposition councillors over a perceived lack of consultation on a deal to find a financial partner to run the facility.

In August, the local authority confirmed Adynaton Asset Management LLP as its preferred commercial partner.

If agreed, the company would take over the running of the airport which is currently subsidised by the taxpayer to the tune of about £4.8m each year.

The chief executive of Cornwall Chamber of Commerce wrote to Cornwall Council in July calling for it to immediately suspend any plan for a partnership deal.

In a strongly worded letter, John Brown criticised the council for not consulting the business community and making a decision on the future of the airport and its estate behind closed doors which was "both unacceptable and opaque".

Councillor Louis Gardner, portfolio holder for the economy at Cornwall Council, said: "I emphasise again, there is no agreement in place to proceed with a joint venture, negotiations are still taking place ahead of a final decision this autumn, and the views we receive during the consultation will help inform that."

Members of the public can take part in the consultation by dropping in to talk to members of the project team at New County Hall, Truro, between 09:00 BST and Midday on Saturday and from 13:00 to 16:00 at Newquay Library on the same day.