Birmingham concerned about sky congestion from Coventry Airport expansion
14.09.05
Birmingham Airport is set to raise concerns about congestion in Midland airspace before a Government planning inspector next January. Officials at Birmingham airport are expected to voice opposition over the growth of Coventry Airport at a public inquiry called over plans by Coventry to boost its terminal size to cater for two million passengers a year.
Holiday company TUI, the owners of Coventry Airport, appealed to Warwick District Council over a delay in dealing with a planning application for a new 10,000 sq. metres terminal and 4000 spaces for airport parking. The appeal puts the decision in the hands of the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, after a public inquiry. Interested parties, including Birmingham Airport, will have the opportunity to make representations at the inquiry.
A spokeswoman from Birmingham airport said yesterday: 'It is essential that our airspace capacity is safeguarded and protected if our long-term plans are to be realised. Given the unique proximity of the two airports, Birmingham International remains concerned that additional development at Coventry Airport would inevitably compromise our long-term airspace capacity.'
A spokesman from Warwick Council said the delay in processing the application, which was submitted last November, was due to the local authority still 'awaiting responses from statutory consultees'.
A second public inquiry for Coventry airport has already been set for January, after the council's refusal of a previous application for a smaller permanent terminal in September last year. It is thought the newly-appealed application could be dealt with at the same inquiry. Birmingham airport, along with the five West Midlands authorities which own it, would be expected to make verbal representations at the new public inquiry.
Coventry Airport managing director, Bill Savage, said: 'In order to save all parties time and expense we have requested our November planning application be considered at the public inquiry. This will be the opportunity for all parties to have their say in the future development of Coventry Airport.'
To book a coventry airport hotels or coventry airport parking at the lowest price click on these links to airport parking and coventry airport hotels price comparison websites.
