Airport redevelopment plans ready for take off
LEEDS Bradford International Airport last night received the go-ahead for its long-awaited £28m expansion plans.
Leeds City Council’s planning committee gave the green light to the plans, having deferred a decision in April because members wanted to see improved public transport links to the airport as part of the blueprint submitted by LBIA, which is owned by private equity firm Bridgepoint.
The decision means that the airport can now begin the major phase of an expansion plan that will see passenger numbers increase from 2.9m today to 5.1m by 2016.
The development is likely to create 2,000 jobs.
Councillors were told by planners that LBIA had committed more cash to improve public transport links, including £1m towards bus services and road measures and another £228,000 to support bus services between the airport and Bradford, Harrogate and Leeds.
But the decision was still close with members of the committee voting four to three in favour after a four-and-a-half hour meeting.
What do you think of these plans? Should more be done to improve the public transport infrastructure and roads or is an expanded airport the main priority? Leave your comments below.
Plans include a new two storey building extension and internal improvements to the existing terminal, providing a new airside departure lounge, expanded passenger security screening zone, added shops and catering facilities, a redesign of the domestic baggage reclaim hall and the airside immigration facility.
The latest announcement follows the recent completion of a £2m redevelopment of the airport forecourt. Phase one included access improvements for the bus and airport shuttle which links the airport with frequent services to Leeds, Bradford and Harrogate alongside a new drop off and pick up zone for car passengers. A taxi booking point has now been relocated by the ranks to ease passenger departures.
Phase two saw a streamlined rapid pick up and drop off zone, redevelopment of the short stay car park and improved pedestrian walkways.
John Parkin, Leeds Bradford International Airport’s chief executive, said: ‘We welcome the decision from the Planning Committee which marks an important milestone in the development of a progressive national and international gateway for the region.
“We are now able to enhance the original vision of the consortium of local councils who previously owned the airport to develop LBIA. We are committed to the transformation of the airport to assist the region’s economy by encouraging inward investment and creating more jobs.”
“We are passionate in our determination to deliver a passenger experience which offers the very best in airport design and service standards for Yorkshire and the Humber,” he added.
Gary Verity, chief executive of tourising agency Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “Expansion at our airport may make it easier for people living here to go abroad, but it makes it equally easy for people around the world to come here. International visitors tend to be higher spending visitors and increasing the number of international visitors to Yorkshire will play an important part in growing the visitor economy.
“Good, regular air links are clearly one factor which helps an international visitor to decide which part of the UK to visit. Currently we lose out to other parts of the country who are better connected to Europe and the rest of the world. ”
What do you think of these plans? Should more be done to improve the public transport infrastructure and roads or is an expanded airport the main priority? Leave your comments below.
