Airport Plans Given Go-Ahead

By DAVID ROBERTS

PLANS for a 56m airport expansion have finally been cleared.Secretary of State Ruth Kelly announced yesterday she would not be calling in the planning application for Durham Tees Valley Airport, allowing Darlington Borough Council to approve the proposals.The news has been met with dismay by campaigners against the scheme and nearby residents, who had hoped the Ms Kelly would order a public inquiry into the business park development.Darlington and Stockton borough councils have already approved plans for improvement and expansion of the terminal, with additional aircraft stands, a new taxiway and apron facilities, and a cargo and maintenance village.The latest plans include offices and a 100-bed hotel with pub and restaurant.But objectors to the scheme say it should be built on brownfield sites at the airport and not on agricultural land.Hugh Lang, the airport’s managing director, said the resolution would bring jobs and investment to the area.He said: “This a very important decision, not just for Durham Tees Valley Airport but the whole area, because it enables us to develop our plans for meeting the needs ofthe ever-growing number of passengers, hand-in-hand with the business park project.”With both our planning applications now approved, we can work with partners on planning a programme for moving forward with the developments, which have the potential to create many hundreds of jobs.”Councillor John Williams, the leader of Darlington council, said: “I am delighted that this development has been given the go-ahead.”Work can now start to build on the popularity of Durham Tees Valley Airport and further the economic prospects of the Tees Valley.”However, Doris Jones, the ward councillor for Middleton St George and chairwoman of the parish council, said she was bitterly disappointed by the decision.She said that allowing the business park on undeveloped land was against local planning policies and would be detrimental to local residents’ amenity.She was also concerned it could lead to further expansion.Coun Jones added: “This is a bad, bad judgement.”We accept that we live next to an airport and the airport has to be successful, and it’s got to fit in with modern-day travelling.”I don’t think we’re being unreasonable, but they are walking all over us – building three-storey office buildings behind houses.”We are going to end up a little town in the middle of a huge industrial estate.”Last night, a spokesman for Durham Tees Valley Airport said no time frame had been agreed for construction of the business park.Earlier this month, it was confirmed by the Highways Agency that work will start in the spring on the 11.3m Long Newton interchange project.This will include a bridge over the A66 trunk road, slip roads onto the A66, and new links to Mill Lane, which provides the main access to the airport and the village of Elton.

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