International-name partner for Newark's proposed International Air and Space Institute (IASTI) could be announced within weeks as part of government Towns Fund

The international-name partner in Newark’s proposed International Air and Space Institute (IASTI) could be announced within weeks.

The institute ­— which will be the first in the country ­— is part of a £25m bid for government money, known as the Newark Towns Fund bid.

Lincoln College Group is leading the bid, which will see the national training facility ­built on Newark and Sherwood District Council’s lorry park off Great North Road.

It aims to produce the next generation of skills-matched aviation professionals, such as trained pilots, future astronauts, engineers and ground staff.

An aviation giant ­— a household name ­— is a partner in the project, but has yet to be publicly announced.

At a meeting of the district council’s economic development committee, director of growth and regeneration Matt Lamb said, contrary to what had been published nationally, he could not yet confirm if Newark’s bid had been given the green light by government.

However, he said he was hopeful that an agreement would soon be reached.

Mr Lamb said he was hopeful he would soon be able to announce what he described as an international player in the IASTI project.

This, he said, would represent, the company’s clear commitment and intent to provide military and civil aviation training in Newark.

The IASTI is part of a gateway project for Newark, accessed from the cattlemarket roundabout, which will also include a hotel with conferencing facilities and coach parking.

The now-closed cattle market site is also set to be included in the gateway scheme.

Mr Lamb confirmed the third-party interest in setting up a new cattle market at Newark Showground, which would also be home to a relocated lorry park.

There are 30 projects proposed in the submission, including the establishment of a Smart Innovation, Supply Chain and Logistics Enterprise Zone, redevelopment of the former Marks and Spencer store, the next phase of the YMCA Community and Activity Village, and the castle gatehouse project.

A committee member, Roger Blaney, said: “Anyone would think begging bowl but this bid highlights a breadth of ambition.

“There is so much substance in this investment plan. We certainly deserve to be support by central government.”

He said when the names of the bid backers could be known publicly, people would recognise the level of ambition and that these exciting plans would be the subject of envy.

Keith Girling, committee chairman, said: “I’m disappointed in the national media attacks because Robert Jenrick is our MP and the minister. We should not be disadvantaged because he’s our member ­— of course we shouldn’t be advantaged either.

“We are one of the lowest for social mobility, and are still trying to get up from that. The policy of getting at the man is really disappointing.”