A public inquiry is set to be held into the decision to allow the rebuild of Leeds Bradford Airport, in what is seen as a major victory for campaigners against the the site’s proposed expansion.
LBA’s planning application for a new £150m terminal was approved by Leeds City Council on March 22, 2021. But campaigners, as well as both Labour and Tory MPs supported calls for a public inquiry.
On April 6, the then-communities secretary Robert Jenrick postponed making a decision on this request, giving no timescale, leaving the future of the plans in limbo.
However, a document seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service appears to confirm that the current secretary of state Michael Gove has chosen to set up a public inquiry into the decision.
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A communication from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities stated that matters which Mr Gove “particularly wishes to be informed about” include “The extent to which the proposed development is consistent with Government policies for Protecting Green Belt Land.”
It also listed: “The extent to which the proposed development is consistent with Government policies for meeting the challenge of climate change, flooding and coastal change.
“The extent to which the proposed development is consistent with the development plan for the area.”
The move has been welcomed by both MPs and campaigners, but brought disappointment at the airport where bosses say they already have consent to expand LBA’s existing terminal, but building a whole new one would let them become more sustainable.
Chris Foren, chairman of Group for Action on Leeds Bradford Airport, said: “We’re very pleased with Mr Gove’s decision. It means that all of the consequences of LBA expansion will be properly considered by experienced planning experts.
“Airport expansion is obviously inconsistent with tackling the climate crisis. Scientists have repeatedly said that we must cut all our greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030 to prevent a climate catastrophe. If LBA expands, its emissions would double.
“Thanks to the thousands of people who donated to GALBA’s campaign, we will be able to use experts in planning law, climate science, health and economics to explain to the inquiry why LBA expansion cannot be allowed. We will present evidence to show that expansion would also damage the health of our communities, from the additional noise and air pollution.”
A long-time opponent of the plans is Leeds Northwest MP Alex Sobel, whose constituency houses the airport.
He said: “I wrote to the Secretary of State to call this application in when the decision was first made and pleased an inspector will now look at the application.
“The inspector needs to look at The Committee on Climate Change recommendations on aviation and the need to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 for flights.”
Airport bosses say they are disappointed with the public inquiry - and how long it has taken Ministers to decide to hold one since the initial planning decision last year.
Vincent Hodder, CEO of Leeds Bradford Airport, said: “While we are disappointed to see this decision taken after 10 months of deliberation, we remain convinced in the economic, environmental and customer service cases for our replacement terminal. Our proposals are robust and we are committed to being an outstanding airport for passengers.
"We hope this decision does not signal a lost opportunity to level up the North of England. The plans not only comply with national and regional legislation, but also present a faster way for us to meet our Net Zero Strategy and a welcome boost for the UK tourism industry to bounce back from the pandemic.
He said blocking the development will stop LBA bringing its flight operating procedures in line with UK and European airports - and limit Leeds' ambitions to become "a modern, vibrant European city, attractive to the rest of the world as a place to invest".
Mr Hodder added: “We look forward to hearing the final decision in due course.”
It is not yet known when the public inquiry will take place, but the communication from Government concludes: “The Secretary of State hereby directs the council not to grant planning permission, without specific authorisation, for any development which is the same kind as that which is the subject of the application referred to above on any land which forms part of, or includes, the site to which the application relates until the Secretary of State has issued his decision on this application.”
While the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities did not issue a further statement, it confirmed the Housing Minister had decided to call in the application, and that a public inquiry will now be held, the arrangement for which “will be made shortly and details advertised locally”.
Leeds City Council has been contacted for further comment.
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