Airport plans latest

The airport's owner, Erinaceous, wants to restore the Art Deco listed terminal building to improve access and provide a restaurant on the ground floor, with an aviation club and a function and conference suite above, writes Michelle Nevell.

Plans for an aviation square, with two, three-storey, mixed-use buildings flanking the terminal building, with leisure, retail and marketing on the ground floor, offices on the second floor and penthouse flats at third-floor level, are also included, as well as a flight centre, a new hangar and other offices.

An airside operations building would provide a new fire station, air traffic control tower and maintenance building.

Erinaceous put forward its initial proposals at the Shoreham air show last September.

Following comments and ongoing discussions with Adur district and West Sussex county councils, and the Civil Aviation Authority, revised proposals have been prepared and were unveiled at an exhibition at the airport on Thursday.

An Erinaceous spokesman said: "The proposals will allow the airport to enhance the quality of passenger facilities, alongside the continued use of the existing runway configuration.

"This will enable the airport to continue to operate as an improved general aviation aerodrome.

"The exhibition was an opportunity for those living or working in the area and those with an interest in the airport to discuss the plans and to provide feedback which will help in the preparation of the planning application."

Gerard Downing, from Shoreham Beach, who went to look at the plans, said: "I found the exhibition educational and informative.

"Since moving to Shoreham in 1987, I have seen much building take place at the airport, but none as sensitive as that proposed.

"A significant problem will be access from the south.

"The present narrow road is too restricting to allow the airport to achieve its full potential, but the proposed buildings seem to be in the correct scale.

"Well designed modern buildings will enhance the site and make it more generally acceptable. The new control tower will improve safety and allow a greater range of activity on the airport.

"Erinaceous have come up with these proposals in a short time and I wish them luck in bringing much needed, employment, diversity and prestige to the area."

A planning application is expected to be submitted to Adur District Council within the next two months.