Plans for replacement Leeds Bradford Airport terminal are scrapped
Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) has this morning confirmed it is withdrawing its planning application for a replacement terminal building.
It says this follows “excessive delays and the decision to call in plans by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.”
In a statement released today, it adds: “With large investment in the scheme so far, airport bosses say they are not prepared to commit a further uncapped sum over an indefinite timeframe into a public inquiry process when their focus needs to be on modernising the airport for the future.
“The airport will instead turn its attention to developing the extension to the existing terminal, originally approved by Leeds City Council in 2019, to enable it to meet the rapidly increasing passenger demand as the aviation sector recovers from the pandemic.
“LBA remains committed to delivering its 2030 Carbon Net Zero Roadmap and to creating a modern, decarbonised regional UK airport within the extension scheme.”
Vincent Hodder, CEO of Leeds Bradford Airport, added: “It is with regret that we have made the decision to withdraw LBA’s application for the development of a new replacement terminal.
“As the travel and aviation industry continues to recover from the impacts of the pandemic, LBA needs to be able to respond to rapidly increasing demand within the next few years.
“I would like to thank everyone who has supported us in the planning process, from the general public to the business community and councils across Yorkshire.
“Whilst this is a setback for our airport and region, we remain committed to investing in LBA to be an outstanding, decarbonised, modern airport for the future.”
“My team and I are optimistic about the recovery from the pandemic and about the future of Leeds Bradford Airport.”
But the decision faced fierce opposition from MPs and campaigners, with objections focusing on the environmental impact of extra emissions from increased flights. Opponents called for a public inquiry into the matter.
Then-communities secretary Robert Jenrick postponed making a decision on this request, to “allow time for proper consideration” of the Leeds Bradford Airport proposal.
However, the BBC then reported that secretary of state Michael Gove had chosen to establish a public inquiry.
Reacting to the news that the new terminal will not go ahead, Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, said: “As a region of 2.3 million people, it’s important we have an airport, so that international businesses and students don’t have to travel to Manchester first before coming here.
Tracy Brabin
“I was excited about plans for the terminal expansion because it was going to be zero carbon.
“But it’s their decision, airport planning is a Government decision, and I understand lots of people don’t want an airport at all.
“My priority is to do what I can to support all of our businesses to expand and flourish, and to ensure West Yorkshire remains an attractive option for international students to come to our brilliant universities and colleges.”
