Council's response as Cornwall's Aviation Heritage Centre faces 'permanent closure'
The authority says it is reviewing the use of the land at Cornwall Airport Newquay
Last updated 2nd Sep 2022
Officials have responded to claims Cornwall's Aviation Heritage Centre is facing being closed for good.
Bosses say they have been given until the end of March to leave, after the council terminated their lease on the site at Cornwall Airport Newquay.
The authority says it is reviewing the use of the land subsidised by taxpayers, to ensure they are getting value for money.
Officials say they have made it clear to CAHC that they will consider assisting them to move to a new location when a "credible, costed and deliverable proposal has been developed".
But they added that "this remains the responsibility of the centre".
Despite that, an online petition to save CAHC has already reached almost 9,000 signatures.
Read more: Cornwall's Aviation Heritage Centre being 'forced to close for good'
The council's full statement reads: "Cornwall Airport Newquay is an operational airport which is vital to the region's connectivity to the UK. It is currently subsidised by the Cornish taxpayer and Cornwall Council is committed to develop the airport in a way which minimises this subsidy and continues to develop the site as a key part of Cornwall’s transport and business infrastructure.
"As part of this work, the council is reviewing the use of the land at the airport site to ensure the taxpayer is getting the maximum value for money from it and to increase the economic benefit and professional employment opportunities for Cornwall.
"Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre (CAHC) has been a tenant at Newquay Airport since 2015. They signed a disclaimer at that point acknowledging there was no right of renewal when its lease expired in 2021. However, in order to assist the centre to find a new site, the Council extended the lease by a further 12 months.
"Cornwall Council and Cornwall Airport Newquay are not responsible for the operation of a private business and securing a site on which to operate is the responsibility of the management of the centre.
"Cornwall Council has made it clear to CAHC that we will consider assisting them to move to a new location when a credible, costed and deliverable proposal has been developed. However, this remains the responsibility of the centre".
Speaking on Thursday, the centre's co-founder, Richard Spencer-Breeze, said: "First of all, the entire region will lose a very important aviation museum. Secondly, there are jobs going to be lost which is tragic. Thirdly, we run a very important aerospace education hub here which is designed to help inspire the local people - the local young people of Cornwall".
He had this message for the council: "Please sit down with us and discuss alternatives so we can find a solution. They have refused to engage with us to even discuss finding a way to avoid this terrible outcome.
"Losing this museum and education hub will be a terrible loss for the people of Cornwall. This is being brought about through Cornwall Council and it is not taking into account the wishes of the people of Cornwall. We started an online petition just this morning - it's already approaching six thousand signatures".
As of Friday morning, the online petition had reached almost 9,000 signatures.
You can read more and find out how to donate on the official change.org petition page.