Concerns over how much it may cost to secure the RAF Scampton site

West Lindsey District council want to use it for regeneration plans

RAF Scampton entrance
Author: Andy MarshPublished 12th Sep 2024

There fears 3 hundred million pound plans to regenerate the Home of the dambusters may not go ahead if the cost of buying the land is too high

It comes a week after a decision was taken not to house asylum seekers there.

The Government made the decision to scrap the asylum accommodation plans saying it did not represent value for money.

That's after 60 million pounds has been spent on building portacabins, upgrading old barracks and handing out contracts.

They also detailed that work to close the site will begin immediately - though the cabins remain.

We've got investors waiting in the wings

There is still a sense of hope amongst locals though - that it'll transform into an aerospace education hub, with preserved heritage..

We spoke to leader of West Lindsey District Council Trevor Young about the situation.

He told us: "We don't want to prolong it - we've got investors waiting in the wings."

"They've waited patiently for the last 18 months - they'll not hang on forever."

"We hope the Government works with us - if doesn't that will be the deal breaker."

"We're just hoping that a sensible approach is taken in terms of the sale of the site and it won't be to the highest bidder."

"We've negotiated a price previously and we hope the Government works with us in terms of a realistic figure being offered."

I think they just need to take a sensible approach and get on with this

"There's 60 million pounds already wasted on the site."

"I think they just need to take a sensible approach and get on with this."

"300 million development will bring a huge amount of investment into the district."

"The biggest challenge has been obviously taking the Government to court for a judicial review."

"But also the stop notices that we took which delayed them getting onto the site."

"If we hadn't made those decisions we feel asylum seekers would have already been on there."

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