The prospective sale of RAF Scampton, a former RAF base situated near Lincoln, is expected to finalise by mid-2026, according to recent council meeting disclosures. The Home Office has taken the responsibility of setting the site up for sale, and West Lindsey District Council has exhibited keen interest in becoming the buyer. The most recent Lincolnshire County Council meeting revealed that Minister for Border Security, Alex Norris, has indicated the site will be hitting the market soon, with the expected duration for the sale process being approximately six months. In spite of expressing slight disappointment with the timeline, Councillor Trevor Bridgewood remains hopeful about the progression of the process.
Furthermore, the minister provided reassurances that there are zero intentions to repurpose the site into housing for asylum seekers, a stance that is in line with recent pledges made by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Under the previous Conservative government, there were considerations to use the base for this purpose, however, these plans have been put to a halt since the Labour Party took charge. West Lindsey District Council, along with Scampton Holdings Ltd, has extensive future plans for the site and aims to inject £2 billion into the local economy over the coming 15 years. The planned approach includes aviation, heritage, tourism, education and research initiatives.
Jackie Brockway, who leads the West Lindsey District Council, has confirmed that pre-arrangements for the sale are progressing well. Brockway has submitted a writing to the Prime Minister, joined by Lincolnshire County Council and City of Lincoln Council, to endorse immediate action to unlock the promising opportunities offered by the site.
This story was readapted from an original report by www.bbc.com, as published by The Lincoln Post.
