July 24, 2018 5.49 pm This story is over 68 months old

‘Don’t take our wings’: Lincoln defiant against RAF Scampton sale

Leaders and locals have been reacting to the decision

“Stand up and be counted” was the defiant reaction from Lincolnshire at the shock decision to sell RAF Scampton.

As reported previously, the Ministry of Defence made the decision today to sell RAF Scampton – forcing the Red Arrows to find a new home.

Leaders have been reacting with sadness and dismay at the news, while some people have set up petitions and Facebook groups in protest.

The Lincolnite visited the High Street to see what residents thought of the decision to sell RAF Scampton.

Joe McCann said: “Stand up and be counted. We have to rise up to say enough is enough, we are keeping the Red Arrows.”

Carole Burley asked: “Why have they got to move them from RAF Scampton? I just don’t understand it, I don’t think we should move them anywhere else.”

Watch the full video above to see how Lincoln reacted.

MOD “will regret” decision

The Lincolnite also visited Lincolnshire County Council today to speak to leaders today.

Councillor Colin Davie, Executive Councillor for Economy and Place at Lincolnshire County Council, told The Lincolnite that the MOD “will regret” their decision to sell RAF Scampton.

He said: “I think they will possibly regret the decision to sell the base because I think it’s based on the selling of land for housing.

“The land values in Lincolnshire are not the same as they are in the south of the country, where they have closed other bases.”

Lincolnshire is the home of aviation

RAF Scampton has a long military history, so some historians reacted with disappointment at the news to sell.

The Air Heritage Manager, Dave Harrigan, told The Lincolnite: “Lincolnshire is the home of aviation. We are renowned for that nationally and internationally.

“RAF Scampton is at the heart of people, it’s woven into the fabric of the people of Lincolnshire.

“The news wasn’t a complete shock but it still came as quite a disappointment to think that we are going to lose such a great piece of the RAF heritage.”