Doncaster Sheffield Airport, which is due to close later this year, is set to become a hi-tech business park under plans revealed by owners Peel Group.
Peel Group want to expand on the plans for the £1.7 billion GatewayEast development, located near the airport and attract cutting-edge, future-tech businesses to South Yorkshire.
Steven Underwood, chief executive, Peel Group said: “We look forward to collaborating with our partners to create a vibrant, long-term vision for GatewayEast and the airport site. We will not accept any public sector grant to cover the costs of an airport that is not viable due to its lack of adequate forward revenues and high operating costs.
Peel Group refused to accept public funding from South Yorkshire Metropolitan Combined Authority to keep the airport open as it said it would just delay the inevitable and working with local stakeholders to create jobs in the area would be a bigger benefit to the region.
Mr Underwood added: “Instead, we intend to continue working closely with local and national stakeholders to develop a forward-thinking strategy for the airport site, in conjunction with the £1.7 billion GatewayEast development next door, to help unlock vibrant, job-creating alternatives to ensure future growth and prosperity.“
Doncaster Airport will begin winding operations down from the 31st of October when summer flights from TUI Airways UK, the sole airline operator at the airport, end.