RAF Scampton will return to 'glory days', says MP

A former RAF base in Lincolnshire will return to its "glory days" under new regeneration plans, says the local MP.

On Tuesday, it was announced a local bid to buy RAF Scampton near Lincoln had been unsuccessful, sparking fresh fears over its future.

However, Conservative MP for Gainsborough Sir Edward Leigh said the base would be taken over by "a world-class defence company" which would revive its role in defending the country.

The Home Office has been approached for comment.

RAF Scampton, which officially closed in 2023, was home to 617 Squadron, famously known as the Dambusters, during World War Two, and later the Red Arrows aerobatics display team.

West Lindsey District Council and private firm Scampton Holdings Ltd submitted a joint bid to buy the 800-acre site and regenerate it with a heritage centre, defence and aviation businesses and research.

That bid was rejected, prompting concerns that a previous plan to house asylum seekers on the base could be revived.

Sir Edward said he was in discussions with the Home Office and had been told "there will be no migrants" and a heritage centre for visitors would be included in future plans.

"We're getting what we always wanted including a defence company and a heritage centre and I think that, when the local community look at it closely, they will be fairly pleased," he said.

"Lincolnshire people love defence and that's what we've had at Scampton for 80 years and that's what local people have always wanted for RAF Scampton. They never wanted the base to close."

Sir Edward said he did not know the identity of the company but had been told "they will work closely with the MoD".

West Lindsey District Council confirmed its bid had been unsuccessful.

Sally Grindrod-Smith, director of planning, regeneration and communities, said the successful bidder "is a significant defence company working alongside the government".

She said she had been "assured in conversations with the Home Office" that "heritage regeneration will be given priority".

"We wanted to ensure it would progress as a defence-led regeneration opportunity and that's what's going to happen," she said.

Sarah Carter, from the Save Our Scampton group, formed to protest against the migrant accommodation plans, said she felt "extremely disappointed that we haven't been consulted".

"As always, the Home Office is keeping us in the dark," she said.

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