Job prospects at the UK’s Biggin Hill, says an airport spokesman, have been dealt a bitter blow by the Secretary of State’s decision to allow Bromley Borough Council to block a major development at the former Battle of Britain airfield.

Biggin Hill Airport Limited (BHAL) had planned to build a new hangar for a corporate aircraft support and maintenance company under special powers granted to utility and major public transport undertakings.

Andrew Walters, chairman of the airport company, said: “This is a bitter disappointment. Not only do we lose a valued customer, but the community loses the opportunity for 120 new skilled jobs and a further 240 indirect jobs.

“The council sold the airport to us in 1994 because it was losing money every year and needed millions of pounds of ratepayers’ money spent on it. We have started the investment process but there is a long way to go.

“The Council gave us the job but it seems that they won’t let us have the tools to do it. I believe that the public want better transport services, more jobs and a secure future and we want to give it to them.”