RUNWAY DECISION COULD BE REGION'S BEST GIFT THIS CHRISTMAS
.
The CEO of Birmingham International Airport, Paul Kehoe,
has made another call to the region to support its plans to
extend the runway, and says that a positive decision would
be the Region's best Christmas gift.
.
On Monday 15th December 2008, Solihull MetropolitanBorough Council is expected to decide on whether the
Airport can proceed with plans to build a 400 metre
extension to its runway.
.Solihull MBC Planning Officers have recommended that
Councillors approve the Planning Application. Paul Kehoe,
said, "It is important we obtain this decision to improve
global connectivity, enhance economic growth and support
the development of new jobs for local people. Being able to
fly from Birmingham could take millions of cars off the
roads by clawing back Midlands based traffic from other
UK Airports.
.
"Without it, overseas investors in the region could go
elsewhere; it's happened before. Our proposals for a
runway extension are proportionate and comply with
all appropriate National, Regional and Local Policies.
.This is a demanding project and the first critical step
in its delivery is gaining planning approval.
.
"Forecasts for Birmingham show that growth will
occur with or without a runway. However, of the
27 million passengers projected to travel through
Birmingham by 2030, four million of these would be
as a result of the runway extension, and as an
extension would provide global connections, these
four million would be very important, bringing
wealth and prosperity through overseas investment
and supporting regional business, commerce,
industry and tourism.
.
Paul Kehoe, continued, "The Planning Application
Paul Kehoe, continued, "The Planning Application
is not about whether Aviation is `good' or `bad'. It's
about meeting policy objectives, protecting the
well-being of local people and mitigating
environmental impacts. Even by 2030, the number
of extra departures, as a result of a runway extension,
will only total 23 a day but in return will almost
double the number of job opportunities supported by
the Airport.
.
"Extensive research carried out as part of the
Application shows that the environmental affects of
the proposal, compared to without the extension, are
negligible. All emissions would stay within acknowledged
standards, natural habitats would be protected, no
veteran trees would be lost, and other hedgerows and
trees would be replaced locally. There would also be a
legally-binding agreement that the Airport complies
with, as it has previously.
. Anyone wishing to show their support for the runway
extension can still write to Solihull Metropolitan Borough
Council, quoting `Planning Services' and
`Application 2008/22' at: connectcc@solihull.gov.uk or
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, Planning Services,
Po Box 11652, Solihull, West Midlands B91 9YA
