Further delay for runway decision
07.03.09
A decision on the runway extension at East Midlands Airport was supposed to be made this month – after an 8½ year wait. But the application has disappeared from the latest North West Leicestershire District Council's planning committee agenda, meaning that it has been put back yet again, and is now expected 'within the next few months.'
An application to increase the runway by 190m was first submitted in September 2000. Steve Bambrick, head of environment at the council, said: ‘We did target a particular date in March [for a decision], but we have decided we were not in a position to meet that date. Clearly it is a contentious application. By their nature they inevitably take longer to deal with, but not every one takes so many years.’
A decision was initially put back for more information to be provided by the airport. Once that was received, the council carried out a second public consultation. Airport bosses maintain that, although the work would allow cargo planes to take off with bigger loads, it would not mean larger aircraft or an increase in air traffic. The main feature of the application is to extend the runway to the west, creating less noise for people at the eastern end, particularly in Kegworth, as the planes will land further away.
The plans would see more freight – and more passengers – being accommodated on planes, as they would be able to carry more weight. This would allow firms like DHL, which has a base at the airport, to transport more goods.
An airport spokesman said: ‘It is now 8½ year since the application was submitted. The council has all the information necessary to enable it to reach a decision.’ This decision is now expected 'within the next few months.'
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