Runway extension at Birmingham International Airport could be completed by 2012 Olympic Games
A CONTROVERSIAL runway extension at Birmingham International Airport is on course to be completed before the 2012 Olympic Games.
Solihull Council’s planning sub-committee last night unanimously voted to grant planning permission for the 400-metre extension subject to stringent conditions which must be agreed later. Those conditions will contain constraints on noise pollution and protection of the environment.
Birmingham’s business community immediately welcomed the decision and will now aim to ensure the confirmation of the conditions do not delay the project.
They and other supporters of the runway will press for the runway to be completed before the 2012 Olympic Games come to Britain.
Birmingham and Solihull Chamber of Commerce chief executive Jerry Blackett described the vote as a “seminal moment.”
West Midlands Friends of the Earth organiser Chris Crean said: “The devil is in the detail on a thing like this.
“Given the huge amount of pressure the business community has placed on the council, tonight was a huge step forward.”
Local residents were also optimistic and voewed to continue their fight for stricter controls on noise levels, flight paths and night flights.
James Botham, secretary of Birmingham Anti-Noise Group, said: “We welcome this decision to have more time to work with the council on the details of this application.
“Not making a final decision was probably the best we could have hoped for and the best decision the council could have made.”
Speaking after the meeting committee chair Coun Stuart Davis said: “A lot of work has been done and we are mindful that we had to take into account the views of the airport as well as the views of residents.
“I think the council have succeeded in what they set out to achieve in that we were looking out for the residents through a proper 106 agreement, but we also had to consider the needs of the Airport and the business sector.
“Subject to the 106 agreement coming back and being accepted by the members this application will be approved.”
more >>>>>
