Council copout on Coventry Airport expansion
14.01.06
It played a key role in the longest-ever enforcement inquiry in British planning history when it contested the Thomsonfly terminal at Coventry Airport last year. But at the second inquiry that started on Tuesday Warwick District Council is taking a back seat, having not objected to the current proposal in principle.
The authority has been criticised by both sides at various points - initially by the airport for being 'hostile' to its plans, and latterly by those opposed to its expansion for 'capitulating'. But its barristers Jerry Cahill QC and Satnam Choongh set out their position in the authority's opening statement - criticising both sets of critics!
They said: 'Those who speak of hostility or capitulation must recall that the district council has at no point during the entire history of this matter voiced any 'in principle' objection to the introduction of passenger flights at Coventry Airport. Its position throughout has been to ensure that any development of ground facilities is consistent with planning policies and that the associated aircraft activity can be properly controlled.'
'The district council has neither desired nor encouraged a two-million-passengers-per-year operation at Coventry Airport. It is a fact that airports grow and change in character over time, as management and its commercial objectives change. We have a responsibility to consider and respond to any applications the airport may make, and to do so by applying all relevant planning policies. This is precisely what it has done in respect of the application now before this inquiry.'
'To describe the Council as a 'supporter' in any instance it considers that relevant development criteria have been fulfilled is slightly misleading.' The authority declared its neutrality on the issue of airspace - something it views as 'central' to the inquiry's outcome.
Its barristers reiterated the council's view that the proposed measures to limit the airport's effect on the environment are sufficient to warrant granting planning permission.
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