Issue details

To review the continued progress made in delivering the Council’s adopted Vision and Outline Strategy for Daedalus and to approve the next steps identified for the site.

In March 2015, the Council acquired 369 acres of land at Daedalus, mainly comprising an airfield and two development areas to the east and west.  In October 2015, after extensive engagement with various interested parties and a two-month period of public consultation, the Council formally adopted its Vision together with a series of Objectives designed to achieve it.

In February 2019, the Executive revisited the Vision and considered the progress made in fulfilling the stated Objectives.  It also considered what had changed since 2015 and identified the priority actions for a five-year period (2019 – 2023) to ensure the continued development and vibrancy of the airport and its adjacent business parks.

That five-year period has now concluded and a 2024 Update has therefore been prepared outlining the progress made at Daedalus since the 2015 Vision and 2019 refresh; this is set out at Appendix A to the report.

The 2024 Update demonstrates that significant continued progress has been made in delivering the Vision for Daedalus over the last five years.  Faraday Business Park has been successfully progressed with the build and full occupation of the speculative business units, together with the full letting of the business hangers.  Major investment has taken place at Solent Airport with new air traffic services introduced, taxiway resurfacing undertaken and the forthcoming introduction of aeronautical ground lighting.  The Skills and Innovation cluster has been further supported with the opening of Fareham College’s CETC facility and now the future development of Bristow’s Search and research Training facility.  Finally, the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Park has been delivered including children’s play area and Daedalus sculpture.

Recognising the delivery achieved, next steps have now been identified in the 2024 Update to ensure progress continues to be made in accordance with the Vision and, if these are agreed, they will guide investment decisions at Daedalus in the coming years.

The 2024 Update was reported to the Daedalus Scrutiny Panel on 21 February 2024 and the comments of the Panel will be presented to the Executive for their consideration.

Once this report has been considered by the Executive, the 2024 Update publication will be shared with interested parties in mid/late March.  Social media and local media opportunities will also be used to raise awareness of the achievements and the next steps outlined in the 2024 Update.