A popular aviation museum being evicted from its home at Cornwall Airport Newquay has received the best Christmas present after being offered an alternative site nearby to relocate.

The Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre has been offered a potential 10-acre site adjacent to the airport by a local landowner.

The new site will enable all of the Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre's aircraft, exhibits and facilities to be transferred fully intact. 

Proposals are well developed for the site to create a modern, interactive, aerospace visitor centre and multi-functional education facility, which will be called the Cornwall Aerospace Museum.

The aviation museum and education centre, which boasts more than 20 aircraft including historic jet fighters and bombers, was due to start breaking up its historic aircraft if a new home could not be found imminently as they have until the end of March to clear their current site.

Cornwall Council is not renewing the aviation centre’s lease as it is reviewing the use of the land at the airport site to ensure the taxpayer is getting the maximum value for money from it.

Richard Spencer-Breeze, the director of the Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre, said: “The Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre and the Cornwall Aerospace Education Trust are very happy to release the news in time for Christmas that, with the help of a local landowner, a potential site has been identified to relocate Cornwall's only dedicated aerospace museum and education centre. “The team at Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre are now in regular contact with Cornwall Council regarding this exciting project.

"We are working on the challenging planning applications, preparing the sound business case that Cornwall Council require if they are to support the project and on sourcing the funding that will be required to complete this exciting project.

“After so many months of facing what seemed like the sad end of our dream, this opportunity is the best thing that could have happened. 

“The new centre will be bigger, better and fully up-to-date. It will be an immersive celebration of the aviation heritage of Cornwall and Great Britain and present comprehensive, interactive STEM/aerospace education and training resources for every level, from primary school visits through to apprenticeships and on to the professional development of aerospace and MoD personnel. 

"All the currently endangered aircraft will be saved and there is scope to grow and go on to create one of the UK's best aerospace destinations.

“The Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre would like to wish all of its friends, well-wishers and supporters who have helped us to keep on going a very happy Christmas."

Any prospective sponsors or supporters of the new opportunity for the Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre to email [email protected]