Planning inquiry ends, but decision still months away
02.08.06
A 7 month inquiry into whether Coventry Airport should be allowed to build a new permanent passenger terminal to cater for up to 2 million passengers each year has come to an end. However it could be another 7 months before a decision is made.
The public inquiry into the plans began in January, and the bitter battle between the airport and its opposition has lasted at least 3 months longer than expected. At Leamington Town Hall on Monday representatives from the airport, local authorities and objectors gathered to hear the final summing up of the evidence.
Residents living near the airport have expressed worries about air and noise pollution which would be caused by having up to 10 extra planes per day at the airport. And Birmingham airport has also objected to the plans claiming the expansion of Coventry Airport would affect their own future growth.
Peter Village QC, representing Coventry Airport, described this as 'nonsense on stilts' and said Birmingham's objection was purely commercial as it wanted a monopoly on Midlands air traffic. He said: 'Birmingham Airport has no grounds whatsoever for objection'
Tens of thousands of people already use the airport to 10 destinations a day, but that figure could rise with up to two million people a year passing through the terminal. Plans for a multi-storey airport car park, which could take up to 4000 vehicles, have also been discussed.
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