Business leaders in Doncaster have called on Mayor Andy Burnham to publicly support plans to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA), saying national endorsement is needed to realise the site’s potential as a major transport and economic hub for South Yorkshire and the wider North.
Local firms press for Whitehall backing
Dan Fell, chief executive of the city’s Chamber of Commerce, used a council-organised industry event to press the case for national involvement. The session, run alongside FlyDoncaster and Business Doncaster, aimed to connect local suppliers with opportunities arising from the airport project.
“DSA is exactly the kind of ambitious regeneration project that deserves Government backing,” said Mr Fell, adding that the economic prize was “significant and becoming clearer every day.”
He argued that while regional bodies — notably City of Doncaster Council and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority — have driven much of the forward work, ministers must step in if the scheme is to achieve its national ambitions. Mr Fell also urged central government to help fund infrastructure including a proposed rail station serving the airport.
Public money, borrowing and lease talks
The plan has prompted controversy because of the sums involved and elements of the lease being negotiated with landowner Peel Group. The council intends to deploy £160m of devolved South Yorkshire funding towards the reopening and has said it will borrow a further £57m to accelerate the programme.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Devolved funding earmarked | £160m |
| Council borrowing to frontload work | £57m |
| Turnover rent clause in lease | 20% |
Negotiations between South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard and Peel are understood to be ongoing. Among the sticking points are strict passenger number targets and a clause that would see Peel receive 20 per cent of turnover as rent. Those terms have prompted concern from some quarters about the ongoing public cost and commercial viability.
Next steps and public consultation
Officials are moving forward on regulatory matters: a public consultation on DSA’s airspace application is due to open, an essential step if flights are to resume. Supporters say restarting operations would be transformational — creating jobs, improving connectivity for businesses and passengers, and signalling wider confidence in northern investment.
- Local business leaders want central government support for DSA and associated infrastructure.
- City of Doncaster to use £160m of devolved funds and borrow £57m to progress reopening.
- Lease negotiations with Peel Group continue, with a contested 20% turnover rent clause and passenger targets under discussion.
For residents and businesses, the debate will centre on whether the expected economic benefits justify the scale of public backing and the contractual terms being discussed with the landowner. With national and regional politicians now being asked to clarify their positions, Doncaster will be watching closely for any indication that the project has secured wider ministerial support.
