Leeds Bradford Airport bosses have been forced to go back to the drawing board after they suddenly shelved their ambitious plans for a brand new £150 million terminal.
Planning permission for the new terminal was granted by Leeds City Council in 2021, but the government wanted to scrutinise the blueprints in finer detail. After waiting for almost a year, airport chiefs have been forced to pull the plug on the scheme.
It means Leeds Bradford Airport must come up with alternative plans for the coming years.
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A statement from the airport said it will now focus on "developing the extension to the existing terminal".
While the exact details are yet to be revealed, LeedsLive understands original plans which were rubber-stamped in 2019 are likely to be revived.
The original planning application included a three-storey extension to the main airport terminal building, with an improved arrival hall, departure gates and new shops, cafes and restaurants.
The site earmarked for the extension is an area to the east of the current terminal, next to the mid-stay car park.
Speaking in 2018, the-then chief executive of Leeds Bradford Airport, David Laws, said: "This new extension will transform the experience for both departing and arriving passengers whilst also adding a ‘sense of place and pride’ throughout the terminal, as we want to play our part in creating a great first impression for inbound visitors."
The images above and below reveal what the extension could look like, based on the original plans.
However, planning application for the original expansion has expired since it was given the green light.
A Leeds City Council planning document said approval for the extension was granted on January 30, 2019, but "the development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission".
It means Leeds Bradford Airport is likely to have to re-submit plans for the 2019 blueprints, although this is not thought to be a major stumbling block.
The Group for Action on Leeds Bradford Airport (GALBA) have claimed the decision to scrap the new terminal as "victory for our climate and our communities".
"We are delighted that LBA has acknowledged defeat," said chair Chris Foren.
"Make no mistake, this victory is down to the thousands of people who took action, donated funds and never gave up hope that we can make the right decisions today to build a better tomorrow."
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Meanwhile, LBA chief executive Vincent Hodder - who branded government delays as "appalling" in December 2021 - has expressed his disappointment that the new terminal will no longer go ahead.
"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," he said.
"My team and I are optimistic about the recovery from the pandemic and about the future of Leeds Bradford Airport."
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