Today, UK government decided to delay the Leeds Bradford Airport’s expansion plan, that included a new Terminal building .
The controversial plan to add a new terminal was approved by the Leeds City Council, despite objections from all Five leeds labour MPs and various groups including Leeds Friends of the Earth and the Group for Action on Leeds Bradford Airport (GALBA).
Robert Jenrick, the secretary of state for housing, communities and local government had time till 6th April after council’s approval of £150m plan. He had to decide whether to intervene in the decision and “call in” the plans for a public inquiry.
However the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government stated today that,
it had delayed the decision “indefinitely” in order to “allow time for proper consideration” of the Leeds Bradford Airport proposal.
A spokesperson for Leeds Bradford airport, said:
“We acknowledge the deadline extension and hope that the secretary of state for housing, communities and local government will uphold Leeds city council’s approval for our replacement terminal, which will deliver thousands of new jobs and support the region’s economy.
Our proposals will deliver the UK’s most efficient terminal building, enabling us to become a net zero airport, building back better and enhancing connectivity within the UK and internationally.”
A spokesperson for Leeds city council said:
“We have been informed today by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government that the secretary of state will take some additional time to consider the Leeds Bradford airport planning application.
“The application is a complex one and has generated a significant amount of interest at both a local and national level. We await the secretary of state’s decision in due course.”
During the plan meeting in February supporters of the project Gerald Jennings (West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce) said, approving the proposals would provide a huge boost to employment at a time when Covid-19 and Brexit has imposed a massive strain on businesses.
“The opportunity for new jobs across a broad skills base can’t be passed over at a time like this,” he said.
“Investment in infrastructure is a proven way of driving economic growth, both during construction and after the work is complete.
“Our region is the largest economic region outside London in the UK and we need an airport worthy of that.”
