A respected Lincolnshire Member of Parliament, Sir Edward Leigh, has publicly urged for the reopening of the county’s disused Royal Air Force (RAF) stations, attributing his appeal to the rising global conflicts. As representative for Gainsborough, Sir Edward declared in the House of Commons that the United Kingdom must enhance its defence activities, invoking images of the mobilisation effort that took place on the eve of the Second World War. This declaration comes on the heels of a warning from NATO’s chief, Mark Rutte, regarding the potential for Russian hostility towards Western military alliance members within the next half-decade.
Sir Edward specifically referenced the former RAF Scampton, positioned near Lincoln, which underwent decommissioning in 2023 following the transitioning of the Red Arrows to RAF Waddington, another base in Lincolnshire. RAF Scampton, renowned as the historic base for The Dambusters squadron during the Second World War, is just one among several significant sites in Lincolnshire. The county, frequently referred to as ‘Bomber County’ because of its meaningful wartime role, hosts numerous similar sites that have been transformed for business, residential, or farming purposes.
In the course of the Commons debate, Sir Edward questioned Defence Secretary John Healey about his dedication to reviving these bases. While Healey confirmed the government’s desire to increase military spending, he refrained from discussing specific arrangements for the reactivation of the old RAF stations.
This focus on defence expenditure occurs as the expected sale of RAF Scampton nears completion by the middle of 2026. Ongoing negotiations involving West Lindsey District Council and Scampton Holdings Ltd have led to the drafting of an ambitious redevelopment proposal for the 800-acre site, with a vision determined by aviation, heritage, tourism, education, and scholarly research.
This article is based on original journalism provided by www.bbc.com as reported by The Lincoln Post.
