News: Coventry Airport planning hearing brought forward

Flights > News > # 1678 (07/02/2008)

The High Court appeal hearing into whether Coventry Airport can build a permanent passenger terminal has been brought forward from October to July.
Coventry Airport’s future plans were dealt a hammer blow after its application to build a new terminal was rejected by the government last June.
The planning refusal came after a mammoth seven month long public inquiry during which Coventry Airport faced opposition from Birmingham International Airport, which feared growth at Coventry could scupper its own ambitious expansion plans, and a local residents group.
Secretaries of state Ruth Kelly (Local Government) and Douglas Alexander (Transport) agreed with the planning inspector that extra flights from Coventry would lead to more noise and pollution to people living near the airport or under flight paths, but it was the “Birmingham factor” that was the final nail in the coffin for the new terminal.
The inspector felt a bigger airport at Coventry was not necessary when Birmingham Airport was nearby, and also noted that Birmingham has established public transport links.
Coventry Airport’s chief executive, Chris Ophanou, said: “This really is excellent news. The fact that we have been able to secure a hearing three months earlier than anticipated shows the importance of this case.
“We want to put our argument forward as to why the decision of the Secretaries of State was flawed and get on with building our business for the good of Coventry, Warwickshire and the region as a whole.”
Coventry is currently served by budget airlines Thomsonfly and Wizzair.