Stobart poised for airport bid

THE Stobart Group expects to make a formal bid for Carlisle Airport later this month subject to shareholder approval.

In a statement to the stock market the logistics company said the planning process should be resolved “in the coming weeks” enabling it to exercise its option to buy the site.

Last month Carlisle City Council gave Stobart planning permission for its airport scheme but the company said a “planning-related legal agreement” was still outstanding.

Stobart, which has its headquarters is Carlisle, has been negotiating with the council for more than a year. It scaled back its initial plans after the government called a public inquiry.

Now Stobart wants to build a 387,500sq ft warehouse, a four-storey office block, a chilled dock, gatehouse, canteen and parking for 339 cars, 46 lorry cabs and 96 trailers.

As well as using the airport for its logistics business Stobart plans to run flights between Carlisle and Southend, Essex where it has spent £21m on the town’s airport.