AN airfield runway will undergo a £1.5m refurbishment as part of a push to encourage businesses to join the “thriving aviation community”.

The improvements are part of an £8.3m package of investment by Fareham Borough Council at the Solent Enterprise Zone at Daedalus, in Fareham.

The aim is to transformthe site into a business destination, supported by the airfield, which will create jobs.

Work on the 1,300m runway at Daedalus began yestereday, and will include resurfacing, repairs to taxiways and installations to allow lighting to be built.

Seán Woodward, executive leader of Fareham council, said: “These improvements will support an application for a commercial licence for the airfield.

“The licence will allow a greater variety of planes to use the airfield and encourage more businesses to join the already thriving aviation community at the site.”

Other additions to the site will include the construction of a business innovation centre and the development of a new hangar space.

The investment package is supported by Homes and Communities, which currently owns the airfield and the enterprise zone site.

Kevin Bourner, HCA head of area, said: “These improvements form an important part of our work with partners to improve the offerings for businesses here who want to use the airfield or locate or grow on the Solent Enterprise Zone.

“Visitors can see that things are happening at the site and this work will help to underpin the airfield as a key feature of the enterprise zone.”

The council anticipates that the Daedalus development will create room for businesses to develop and provide more than 3,500 jobs by 2026.

It will provide facilities that encourage businesses related to the manufacturing sector, including marine, aerospace, aviation and precision engineering.

Work on the runway will take about six weeks, during which the airfield will remain open except for weekdays between November 17 and November 30.