Doncaster Sheffield Airport sets out masterplan

Doncaster Sheffield Airport has revealed a 20-year masterplan that could support the creation of 73,000 jobs and generate £3.2bn for the economy.The has set out has set out its vision to create an ‘Aerotropolis’ in the Sheffield City Region, with its 1,600-acre site, known as Aero Centre Yorkshire, becoming a central hub.It is estimated that this could support the creation of 73,000 new jobs for the regionand provide new advanced manufacturing, logistics and aviation-led innovation opportunities. It could also generate £3.2bn of gross value added (GVA) per year by 2048 across the region.Airport passenger numbers are set to increase to 4.7 million per year by 2037 with cargo operations growing to 70,000 tonnes per annum. The terminal size would also double with increased facilities for passengers.The masterplan also proposes that up to 3,000 new homes are built on site, together with new retail facilities, a hotel and leisure complex, and 5.5 million sq ft of employment space.A key component of the masterplan is the addition of an airport rail station connected to the East Coast Mainline, which would provide a direct rail link to London and Newcastle in less than 90 minutes travel time.