Airship manufacturer Hybrid Air Vehicles has agreed terms to buy the freehold of a 124-acre site near Doncaster where it plans to manufacture up to 24 low emission aircraft per year from 2028.
The site is located at Carcroft Common, to the north of Doncaster, and is part of the South Yorkshire Investment Zone, which has been identified by City of Doncaster Council and South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority for the promotion of advanced manufacturing.
The freehold of the land is currently owned by City of Doncaster Council. Terms of the sale are confidential.
HAV is preparing a planning application for the facility, which will be built on what is currently farmland. It will be used for the production, testing and certification of HAV’s Airlander 10 airship and is expected to create 1,200 jobs. Timelines for construction will be confirmed following the completion of the planning process.
HAV has previously collaborated with the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre at the nearby University of Sheffield as well as Doncaster University Technical College.
The Airlander 10 is a 92m-long helium-filled airship which can transport up to 100 passengers or 10 tonnes of cargo. Spanish regional airline Air Nostrum Group is scheduled to be the first customer.
HAV chief executive Tom Grundy said: “Airlander 10 will transform what’s possible for sustainable air travel, and Carcroft Common will deliver the flagship production centre we need to do that, creating over 1,200 jobs and a £1bn per annum export.
“Our vision to rethink clean flight has been met with robust support at every step of the way by City of Doncaster Council and South Yorkshire region.”
Image © Hybrid Air Vehicles
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