DARK CLOUD OVER AIRPORT'S REVAMP PLANS

Two, 150-year leases on the airport was bought from Brighton and Hove City Council and Worthing Borough Council last year by Erinaceous, with Erinaceous retaining responsibility for all aspects of the management of the airport facilities with immediate effect.

It was planning a multi-million pound redevelopment of Shoreham Airport '“ the oldest licensed airfield in Britain.

This included the safeguarding and expansion of aviation, not dependent on runway realignment; a transport hub with a new railway station and park-and-ride; and a new commercial and business development south of the runway to provide much-needed jobs as well as to overhaul the famous Art Deco terminal building.

News broke last week that Erinaceous had 168million of debts, and founder and chief executive Neil Bellis and finance director Michael Pearson were removed from their positions.

But airport manager for the last 16 years, John Haffenden, said this week: "We are trading as normal. The airport is as busy as it has ever been and we are looking forward to a bright future."

For full story see West Sussex Gazette October 3