Originally Posted by
haylo
there is a clause in the DSA planning that it must be an airport and it's detailed withing the National Planning Frame Work, but unfortunately, there are always ways round these things....
DSA is also a nominated safeguarded airport. This means the airport in association with the Local Planning Authority ensures that no building or development work within certain areas adjacent to the airport will present safety issues to the operation of the airport. With the planning requirement for development of the site being dependent on it being an airport theres a conflict between what can be built and where, and operational requirements of an airport under CAP168/CAP738. So there’s potential issues hindering an ‘easy’ development of the site.
As far as the price goes it’s worth remembering that Bournemouth exchanged hands (2018?) for around £40m, for a site with similar non aviation development potential, but as a regional airport and southern Uk location, and Manston similar time for £20m. I’d be surprised if it’s £800m, but I could see £80m being asked.