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Calls for citizens’ assembly to decide future of Gloucestershire Airport

After the collapse of the sale of Gloucestershire Airport to Horizon Aerospace there are calls for a citizen's assembly to decide the significant site's fate.

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The Raikes Journal
Mar 23, 2026
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*The Raikes Journal is the only independent news outlet in Gloucestershire approved to use the copy of the BBC local government reporting service. Why? Only independent, credible journalistically-led platforms that meet the BBC’s high standards win that permission.


There are calls for residents to have more of a say on the future of Gloucestershire Airport in the form of a citizens’ assembly.

Plans to sell the 375-acre site in Staverton, which is jointly owned by Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucester City Council, fell through earlier this month after more than eight months of negotiations.

Horizon Aero Group, the preferred bidder, was unable to raise the capital required to complete the purchase of the site.

The councils are now exploring a number of potential options for the airport but there is not expected to be any immediate impact on the day-to-day operation of the airport or the businesses based there.

And council chiefs say their main priority with the airport now is to maintain its operational continuity and support the many aviation-related businesses based at the airfield.

But Green Party councillors in Cheltenham believe a citizens’ assembly should be set up to allow residents to have their say on the airport’s future.

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