Belfast City runway plans face public inquiry
17.03.10
A public inquiry is to be held into plans to extend the runway at Belfast City Airport, Environment Minister Edwin Poots has announced. The airport wants to extend the north east end of the runway by 590m while removing 120m from the south west to permit larger planes to operate. It has stated the plans may create 100 jobs and £120m in tourism revenue.
There were 1,486 letters of objection and petitions with 499 names and 2,241 letters of support received by the authorities over the proposals. Mr Poots said: ‘I have listened with care to all the arguments on this case and I have decided that, in the interests of everybody concerned, it needs further consideration. Because of the significant issues at stake, I have instructed my officers to ask the Planning Appeals Commission to hold a public inquiry and to request that the inquiry is given a high priority’.
Belfast City Airport chief executive officer, Brian Ambrose, stated he is confident the inquiry will reach ‘a positive outcome’. He said: ‘We're pleased to again engage in this process but would call for the inquiry to be held in a fashion that doesn't postpone any further a much needed boost to the economy via increased access, job creation and tourism revenue.'
‘There is widespread support from business, tourism, the travelling public of Northern Ireland and the local community to extend the runway, which will allow airlines to provide direct flights to European destinations from the center of Belfast, offering consumer choice and furthering access to the region.’
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