Cornwall Council scraps plans to sell airport and transfer car parks

Cornwall Council says its new Cabinet has scrapped plans to sell Cornwall Airport Newquay and transfer 19 council owned car parks to its arms length operator.

In an update today, the Council said members had reviewed both proposals put forward by the previous administration and decided to cancel them in order to protect vital services and key assets that will play an important role in Cornwall’s future.

Five of the car parks earmarked for transfer to Corserv Solutions Ltd were in the Newquay area. Protests were held opposing the move, which became a key issue in the run up to the local elections in May.

Campaigners feared the changes would impact the local economy and tourism, with concerns the transfer could pave the way for ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) cameras to be introduced at sites including Watergate Bay and Tregunnel Hill.

Leader of Cornwall Council, Councillor Leigh Frost, said:
"We’ve listened to the views of residents and taken action to put Cornwall first. Reversing these decisions protects our airport and car parks for the benefit of our communities, our economy, and our future. This is about common sense, getting back to basics, and making sure our public assets work for the people of Cornwall."

Supporters of involving a commercial partner in running the airport had argued the move was necessary to ease pressure on council tax payers, citing subsidies of around £5 million annually. Earlier this year, it emerged negotiations with an American investment firm to take over the estate and operation of the airport had failed the Council's own due diligence tests, just days before a decision was due.

Councillor Adam Paynter, Deputy Leader of Cornwall Council, said:
“The backlash on the car park plans was clear – residents feared hidden fee hikes and reduced accountability. And with the airport, there was no guarantee that privatisation would deliver long-term benefits for travellers or local businesses. That’s why we’re reversing both decisions.”