Plans put forward for RAF Scampton site
It could be commemorative park for the Red Arrows and the Dambusters
Last updated 9th Nov 2021
A new proposal's been put forward for the RAF Scampton site to be turned into a commemorative park for the Red Arrows and the Dambusters.
The MOD is vacating the base in around a year with the Reds moving to RAF Waddington
The plans would see a 550 acre park and a 65-acre filming and gaming studio with vintage trams and cinemas.
However there's a long way before those behind the idea would even get the opportunity to buy the land.
The Horizon venture park would see developers look to take over the 8-900 acre site once it goes to tender by the Ministry of Defence.
Plans for the site shows how the potential buyers want to commemorate the site’s history, but also redevelop parts of it and provide “new and sustainable economic growth”.
The proposals include:
110 acres of residential villages designed around the community.
A 17 acre Academy of Excellence focusing on sustainable intensification of arable and grazing-livestock
A 38-acre business centre
A 16 acre centre for professionals and enthusiasts to restore aircraft and land vehicles
And a 65-acre “Arrow Studios” – a facility combining gaming and film techniques with a state of the art studio space.
At present we are engaged with a number of public and private sector organisations in order to formulate our plans and strategies and to explore where we have synergy with other interested parties,” said a spokesman.
“We are in the process of gaining feedback from those organisations we have been talking to and assessing any expressions of interest in partnerships or co-operative working arrangements.”
They said a comprehensive consultation process would take place with “various interested local audiences” when the plan was “much further developed”.
The MoD announced in 2018 that RAF Scampton – the home of the Red Arrows – would be closed as part of cost-saving measures.
It was later confirmed the site would go up for sale by the end of 2022.
During the Second World War, RAF Scampton was home to 617 Squadron which famously took part in the Dambusters raids in 1943.
Campaigners have previously called for the site to be turned into a heritage centre.