Master Plan Consultation Report

Doncaster Sheffield Airport Draft Master Plan

Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield conducted a public consultation of its Draft Airport Master Plan for 19 weeks between 3^rd November 2008 and 16th March 2009. The proposals set out how the Airport intended to cater for forecast passenger growth to 6.6 million annual passengers by 2016 and 10.8 million annual passengers by 2030 as required by guidance which accompanied the Government’s ‘Future of Air Transport’ White Paper. Key features of the proposals included:

Terminal expansion and airfield development
New cargo facilities
Improved Public Transport access and facilities
Expansion of Business and General Aviation
Further phase of the Airport Business Park
Further phase of Housing Development
Completion of the FARRRS link road
Community development and ‘green’ infrastructure.

A variety of methods were used to inform and encourage a diverse cross section of responses from key consultees, including a number of local authorities, businesses, environmental groups, local communities and other members of the public. These included the staging of 16 public exhibitions throughout the region, in areas surrounding the Airport and where it was believed the Draft Master Plan would be of interest. Exhibitions were held in Worksop, Rossington, Finningley, Doncaster, Dunscroft / Hatfield, Auckley, Bawtry, Armthorpe, Maltby, Blaxton, Mexborough, Selby, Sheffield, Lincoln and Gainsborough.
In addition, thousands of e-mails were sent to people on a mailing list and dedicated pages were displayed on the Airport’s website which subsequently received over 10,000 hits.

The Airport received over 2,000 responses to the consultation from a variety of stakeholders, companies and individuals from throughout the region, during the 19 week consultation.
The Airport has published a report summarising the consultation process and the key findings to date show a large majority of individuals and organisations are strongly in favour of expansion plans put forward by Doncaster Sheffield Airport, to accommodate forecast growth in passengers and freight through to 2030. The report clearly demonstrates high levels of support for the Draft Master Plan proposals, with some 84% of respondents from a wide local and regional area giving their overall support for the plans.
Feedback from the public and various stakeholder organisations who answered a series of questions designed at gauging levels of public support for key elements of the Airport’s medium and long term plans, include:

82% agreed with the Airport’s vision to serve as an international gateway, whilst continuing to be a good neighbour, meeting sustainability criteria and supporting the regeneration of the local community.
86% supported the Airport’s proposals to expand passenger services with a greater range of destinations.
63% agreed that the Airport is doing enough to address environmental impacts associated with its growth.
79% supported the provision of the Finningley and Rossington Regeneration Route Scheme (FARRRS).

A copy of the Draft Airport Master Plan Interim Consultation Results can be downloaded from the link below:

Master Plan Interim Consulation Report

The Airport is continuing to review all responses in detail. Each is being logged and categorised with comments from the Airport to be provided where applicable and published in due course. Following this review the Airport will consider what amendments and changes to make to the Master Plan. The final Airport Master Plan will then be published and submitted to the Department for Transport later this year. It is important to highlight that while all responses received will be considered, not all will result in changes to the Master Plan.

The Master Plan will be subject to review, and further consultation, every five years as recommended by Governmental guidance, although particular sections may be brought forward for review before then.

Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield would again like to thank all those individuals and organisations who participated in this important consultation.