BOSSES of businesses based at Cotswold Airport have lambasted proposals to build 2,000 homes at the site.

Commercial Estates Group (CEG) has been given permission by the owners of the airport to explore the possibility of creating the housing development on the site, near Kemble.

CEG hopes that Cotswold District Council (CDC) will include proposals for the homes in its emerging Local Plan document, which outlines plans for housebuilding in the area.

But businesses at the airfield ,which has 150 workers, believe that the site needs to be developed as an airport and not for homes as it is making great contributions to the aviation industry and community.

The largest company at the airport is Air Salvage International (ASI), which disassembles 14 per cent of the world’s retired aircraft.

Owner Mark Gregory said: “All the businesses here rely on the active runway. We want to expand and bring more infrastructure. We are not going to invest in this airport if it is going to close.”

He said the community is very involved in the airport as many people have flying lessons there and attend events. “People just think it is a derelict airport they do no realise what is going on here.”

Mr Gregory added that he does not believe that the airport is on a brownfield site. He said: “If you look at the definition of a brownfield site it is a derelict site.”

Several flying schools are located at the airport including Kemble Flying Club. Chairman David Young, said: “We have had a 17-year-old here who has just got his licence and it has changed his life. Recently we had pilots here who are going to be test flying next generation aircraft in China. All sorts of interesting stuff goes on here.

“This airport is the jewel in Cirencester’s crown. They (the developers) have bitten off more than they can chew - they need to go somewhere else.”

CEG development manager, Matt Tunley said it is hoped that businesses not reliant on the runway would remain on site in the development.

“We’ve arranged meetings with tenants to keep them updated on planning progress and intend to work closely with them to help plan the future of their businesses.”