New pressure group wants to '˜protect the future'

Friends of Shoreham Airport, formed at the airport last Wednesday, will campaign to prevent the redevelopment or closure of the airport.

Ms Jemima Bland, Liberal Democrat candidate for East Worthing and Shoreham, convened the meeting.

“We want to support those in local and national government and other organisations who are seeking to preserve and protect the historic airfield for future generations,” she said.

Representatives of residents’ groups spoke about their concerns if the airport was developed as an industrial estate.

They said they were worried any development could worsen flooding in the West Beach and Mash Barn areas of Lancing.

Membership is £1 a year for individuals, or £20 a year for organisations.

An on online petition to have Shoreham Airport listed as a “community asset” has also been launched by Ms Jemima Bland.

The move follows months of concern about the future of the oldest-working airport in the country and the failure to refurbish the Art Deco terminal building.

The petition asks councils to support moves to have the airport listed as a community asset.

Ms Bland said: “There have been too many years of drift and tough decisions dodged on the airport. Now we need local people can make it clear they want a positive future for the airport by backing the online petition.”

Visit www.jemimabland.com.